Inelastic collision

Chica1975

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A car of mass 950kg travelling at 60km/h in an easterly direction collided perfectly inelastically with another care of mass 1250kg travelling at 55.0km/h in a northerly direction. The design of the smaller care incorporated safety features which ensured that any occupants came to rest relative to the care in a tie of 250m/s. Both vehicles had one occupant of 75.0kg

calculate the velocity of the wreckage immediately after the collision.

Use conservation of momentum to determine the change in momentum of both vehicles



2. Relevant equations
m1v1 + m2v2 = m'1v'1 + m'2 v'2
I am not sure if the kinetic energy equation fits here too?
.5 m1 v1 E2 + .5 m2 v2 E2 = .5 m1 v'1E2 + .5 m2v'2E2
r= square root (xE2 +yE2)
p=mv

3. The attempt at a solution

I converted all the km/h to m/s
I calculated the momentum of each vehicle p=mv (I also included the weight of the driver for each). Using the answers I found the resultant.
I then rearranged the equation to find v and got the right answer in it.

I am now really struggling with the conservation of momentum - these always get me out. I can't seem to use the right equation and am just blank.

Can someone let me know = thank you. :)

tiny-tim

Hi Chica1975!
As I said in the other thread …
In this case, your second equation (which you did use) is v_f1 = v_f2 …

you don't need, and mustn't use, conservation of energy!

(But you always need conservation of momentum)