Question

A Cadillac of mass 2210 kg going east collides with a Geo of mass 1240 kg headed north on a level highway. The cars remain tangled and slide to rest after traveling 25 m in a straight line at an angle of 20° north of east. The coefficient of kinetic friction for the tires on the road is 0.2. How fast was the Cadillac traveling before the unfortunate collision?

Answers

From the sliding distance and the coefficient of friction, compute the velocity of the joined pair immediately following the collsion.

MV^2/2 = mu*M*g*X
V^2 = 2*mu*g*X = 98 m/s
V = 9.90 m/s

Next, use conservation of momentum to solve for the initial speed of the Cadillac.

All of the eastward final momentum is due to the Cadillac's initial momentum.

3350 kg*9.90 m/s*cos 20 = 2210*Vcad,o

Solve for Vcad,o
A Toyota of mass 1500 kg is driving at 15 m/s NOrth when it rear-ends a Cadillac of mass 2500 kg also moving North at 9 m/s. (The driver of the toyota was probably texting) After the collision, the Toyota bounces back at 2 m/s. What is the speed of the Cadillac after the collision?

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