Question

the 900 kg car was traveling south and collided with the 2000kg car traveling west. they both got tangled and moved away from the impact point as one mass at 16.0m/s in the direction 24degrees west of south. what was the initial speed of each prior to the collision?

Answer 1

Ah, ha, there was more.

initial south momentum = 900 v

initial west momentum = 2000 u

final south momentum = 2900(16)cos 24

final west momentum = 2900(16)sin 24

so
900 v = 46400 (.9135)
and
2000 u = 46400 (.4067)