Chapter 5, Problem 20RQ

If the equally massive cars of the previous question stick together after colliding inelastically, how does their speed after the collision compare with initial speed of the car A?

To determine

The comparison of the speed of both cars after inelastic collision with the initial speed of the car A.

Answer to Problem 20RQ

The car A and car B together moves with the initial speed of the car A but separately they move with half of the speed of the car A.

Explanation of Solution

The momentum of both the cars does not remain conserved in the inelastic collision. The car A and car B become a single entity after inelastic collision. In this case both cars stick together and move with same speed.

The speed of the car A after inelastic collision become the common speed for the car A and car B. The mass of the both car is same, so the car A and car B moves together with initial speed of the car A bot separately these car move with the half of the initial speed of the car A.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the car A and car B together moves with the initial speed of the car A but separately they move with half of the speed of the car A.