To solve this problem, we must remember about the law of
conservation of momentum. The initial momentum mist be equal to the final
momentum, that is:
m1 v1 + m2 v2 = (m1 + m2) v’
where v’ is the speed of impact
Since we are not given the masses of each car m1 and m2,
so let us assume that they are equal, such that:
m1 = m2 = m
Which makes the equation:
m v1 + m v2 = (2 m) v’
Cancelling m and substituting the v values:
50 + 48 = 2 v’
2 v’ = 98
v ‘ = 49 km/h
The speed of impact is 49 km/h.
