Question

A 0.24 kg mass with a speed of 0.60 m/s has a head-on collision with a 0.26 kg mass that is traveling in the opposite direction at a speed of 0.20 m/s. Assuming that the collision is perfectly inelastic, what is the final speed of the combined masses?

Answer 1

The final speed of the combined masses is 0.21 m/s

Applying the law of conservation of momentum:

Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision.

⇒ Formula:

MU+mu = V(M+m).................. Equation 1

⇒ Where:

• M = mass of the first body
• m = mass of the second body
• U = Initial speed of the first body
• u = Initial speed of the second body
• V = common final speed.

From the question,

⇒ Given:

• M = 0.24 kg
• U = 0.60 m/s
• m = 0.26 kg
• u = -0.20 m/s (traveling in opposite direction)

⇒ Substitute these values into equation 1

• 0.24(0.6)+0.26(-0.20) = V(0.24+0.2)

⇒ Solve for V

• 0.144-0.052 = 0.44V
• 0.44V = 0.092
• V = 0.092/0.44
• V = 0.209
• V ≈ 0.21 m/s

Hence the final speed of the combined masses is 0.21 m/s

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