In a perfectly inelastic collision with masses m1=2 kg and m2=3 kg, initial velocities v1=4 m/s and v2=-2 m/s, what is the final velocity after they stick together?

Prepare for the Navy Nationals UPI Test with essential study materials. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions that provide hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

In a perfectly inelastic collision with masses m1=2 kg and m2=3 kg, initial velocities v1=4 m/s and v2=-2 m/s, what is the final velocity after they stick together?

When two objects collide and stick together, they move as one object afterward, so their combined momentum must equal the total momentum before impact. With no external horizontal forces, momentum is conserved.

Compute the initial momentum: 2 kg × 4 m/s plus 3 kg × (-2 m/s) equals 8 − 6 = 2 kg·m/s. The combined mass after sticking is 2 kg + 3 kg = 5 kg. The final velocity is total momentum divided by total mass: v_f = 2 / 5 = 0.4 m/s. The positive sign means it moves to the right.

Thus the final velocity is 0.4 m/s to the right. (Zero velocity would require zero initial momentum; 0.4 m/s to the left would be negative momentum; 2.0 m/s to the right would give far more momentum than was present.)

In a perfectly inelastic collision with masses m1=2 kg and m2=3 kg, initial velocities v1=4 m/s and v2=-2 m/s, what is the final velocity after they stick together?

Prepare for the Navy Nationals UPI Test with essential study materials. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions that provide hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

In a perfectly inelastic collision with masses m1=2 kg and m2=3 kg, initial velocities v1=4 m/s and v2=-2 m/s, what is the final velocity after they stick together?

Get the latest from Passetra