SOLUTION: If two rail cars crash together and hook up with each other, what will be the final velocity of the two cars. Car 1 has a mass of 52000 kg And initial velocity of + 0.150 mph car

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Question 1182248: If two rail cars crash together and hook up with each other, what will be the final velocity of the two cars. Car 1 has a mass of 52000 kg And initial velocity of + 0.150 mph car 2 has a mass of 7200 kg and an initial speed of + 0.050 mph solve by conservation of momentum
I did p=m*v car 1 p = ? m= 5000kg v= +0.150 mph
Car 2 p= ? m = 72000kg m = 0.050 mph
Then I got confused

Answer by ikleyn(52831)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

In this problem, the both initial velocities are co-directed ( both are positive).


So you calculate the total moment p = ,


and then divide it by the total mass    of the glued objects.


So, the final speed of the two GLUED objects is    .     (1)



When the units in the problem are from different systems (as kg and mph), it reminds me a ZOOPARK, not a Physics problem.


Good style requires to CONVERT and to use all the values in consistent system.


But in this case, due to the linear nature of the basic formula (1), 

you can use kg and mph (but remembering that it is not a good style !)

Solved :   you got all necessary instructions from me.


Such collision is called   "inelastic collision",  or  "plastic collision".

An antonym notion is called   "elastic collision".


Do not forget to post your  "THANKS"  to me for my teaching.



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