Question

Carts of mass 3 kg and 10 kg move on a frictionless horizontal track with speeds of 4 m/s and 3 m/s, respectively. The carts collide and stick together. Find:
a) The velocity of the carts just after collision.
b) The loss of kinetic energy due to the collision.

Answer 1

conservation of momentum applies
a. M1V1+m2V2=(m1+m2)Vf
solve for vf

loss of KE= initial KE-finalKE
= 1/2 [m1(v1)^2 + m2(V2)^2 - (m1+m2)(Vf)^2 ]