Two carts with masses of 4.50 kg and 2.66 kg move toward each other on a frictionless track with speeds of 4.98 m/s and 3.24 m/s respectively.

Question

The carts stick together after colliding head-on. Find the final speed.

Answer 1

m₁v₁ - m₂v₂ = (m₁ + m₂)v; v = (m₁v₁ - m₂v₂)/(m₁ + m₂); v = (4.50·4.98 - 2.66·3.24)/(4.50 + 2.66) = 1.93 m/s