You have two identical cars of mass 1,408 kg. Initially, one car is moving to the right with a speed of 17 m/s, and the other is at rest. After the cars collide, you observe that the car that was moving is now at rest. What is the speed of the other car after the collision (in m/s)? Your Answer: Answer

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**Physics Question: Collision of Identical Cars**

*Problem Statement:*

You have two identical cars of mass 1,408 kg. Initially, one car is moving to the right with a speed of 17 m/s, and the other is at rest. 

After the cars collide, you observe that the car that was moving is now at rest.

**Question:**
What is the speed of the other car after the collision (in m/s)?

*Answer Field:*

Your Answer: [_________]

**Explanation:**

In this problem, we are dealing with the conservation of momentum principle. Before the collision, the momentum of the system consists only of the moving car, as the other car is at rest. After the collision, we need to find the speed of the car that was initially at rest.

The key equations and principles to use are:
\[ \text{Total initial momentum} = \text{Total final momentum} \]

Since the cars are identical and have the same mass, and if we denote the mass of each car as \( m \):

**Initial momentum:**
\[ p_{initial} = m \times v_{initial} + m \times 0 = 1,408 \, \text{kg} \times 17 \, \text{m/s} \]

**Final momentum:**
To find the final momentum, we note that the car initially moving is now at rest, so its final velocity \( v_{final1} = 0 \). Let \( v_{final2} \) be the speed of the car that was initially at rest after the collision.
\[ p_{final} = m \times 0 + m \times v_{final2} = 1,408 \, \text{kg} \times v_{final2} \]

By conservation of momentum:
\[ 1,408 \times 17 = 1,408 \times v_{final2} \]

Solving for \( v_{final2} \):
\[ v_{final2} = 17 \, \text{m/s} \]

Thus, after the collision, the speed of the other car is 17 m/s.
Transcribed Image Text:**Physics Question: Collision of Identical Cars** *Problem Statement:* You have two identical cars of mass 1,408 kg. Initially, one car is moving to the right with a speed of 17 m/s, and the other is at rest. After the cars collide, you observe that the car that was moving is now at rest. **Question:** What is the speed of the other car after the collision (in m/s)? *Answer Field:* Your Answer: [_________] **Explanation:** In this problem, we are dealing with the conservation of momentum principle. Before the collision, the momentum of the system consists only of the moving car, as the other car is at rest. After the collision, we need to find the speed of the car that was initially at rest. The key equations and principles to use are: \[ \text{Total initial momentum} = \text{Total final momentum} \] Since the cars are identical and have the same mass, and if we denote the mass of each car as \( m \): **Initial momentum:** \[ p_{initial} = m \times v_{initial} + m \times 0 = 1,408 \, \text{kg} \times 17 \, \text{m/s} \] **Final momentum:** To find the final momentum, we note that the car initially moving is now at rest, so its final velocity \( v_{final1} = 0 \). Let \( v_{final2} \) be the speed of the car that was initially at rest after the collision. \[ p_{final} = m \times 0 + m \times v_{final2} = 1,408 \, \text{kg} \times v_{final2} \] By conservation of momentum: \[ 1,408 \times 17 = 1,408 \times v_{final2} \] Solving for \( v_{final2} \): \[ v_{final2} = 17 \, \text{m/s} \] Thus, after the collision, the speed of the other car is 17 m/s.
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