Question

Two skaters collide an embrace, in a completely inelastic collision. That is, they stick together after impact. The origin is placed at the point of collision. Alfred, whose mass is 83 kg, is originally moving east with speed 6.2 km/h. Barbara, whose mass is 55 kg, is originally moving north with speed 7.8 km/h. What is the velocity v of the couple after impact? Hint: You must find vx, vy and the angle theta.

Answer 1

Darlene/Marie/Anna/Meagan -- please use the same name for your posts.

Answer 2

momentum is conserved in both the x and y directions

x ... east ... 83 * 6.2 = (83 + 55) vx

y ... north ... 55 * 7.8 = (55 + 83) vy

v^2 = vx^2 + vy^2

tan(Θ) = vy / vx


so...you're schizophrenic?
(multiple personalities)