Question

A 1.2 x 103 kg racecar, with a velocity of 8 m/s, collides with an unsuspecting 80 kg honey badger who is standing
still. After the collision, the racecar is traveling at 2 m/s. What is the velocity of the honey badger after the
collision if it goes flying?

Answer 1

Answer: 90 m/s

Explanation:

Given

mass of racecar $M=1.2\times10^3\ kg$

velocity of racecar $u=8\ m/s$

mass of still honeybadger $m=80\ kg$

after collision race car is traveling at a speed of $v_1=2\ m/s$

conserving linear momentum

$Mu+m\times0=Mv_1+ mv_2\quad[v_2=\text{velocity of honeybadger after colllision}]$

$1.2\times10^3\times8+0=1.2\times10^3\times2+80\times v_2$

$1.2\times10^3(8-2)=80v_2\\v_2=\frac{7.2\times10^3}{80}=90\ m/s$