Calculating Impulse and Velocity in Inelastic Collision

[DoctorB2B]

Homework Statement

Block A (2.1kg) is moving at 7.8 m/s to the right and collides head on with block B (3.4kg), which is moving at 4.2 m/s to the left.

a) What is the velocity (magnitude and direction) of the blocks after the collision, if the two blocks stick together?

b) What is the impulse (magnitude and direction) of block B on block A during the collision?

Homework Equations

m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = (m₁ +m₂)(v_f)

The Attempt at a Solution

a)I plugged in known values ((2.1)(7.8)+(3.4)(-4.2))=(5.5)v_f
v_f=0.382 to the right, since the number was positive

b)I'm not sure where to start.

 

[LowlyPion]

Homework Statement

Block A (2.1kg) is moving at 7.8 m/s to the right and collides head on with block B (3.4kg), which is moving at 4.2 m/s to the left.

a) What is the velocity (magnitude and direction) of the blocks after the collision, if the two blocks stick together?

b) What is the impulse (magnitude and direction) of block B on block A during the collision?

Homework Equations

m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = (m₁ +m₂)(v_f)

The Attempt at a Solution

a)I plugged in known values ((2.1)(7.8)+(3.4)(-4.2))=(5.5)v_f
v_f=0.382 to the right, since the number was positive

b)I'm not sure where to start.

Maybe start with what you know impulse is?

 

[DoctorB2B]

J=delta p

I wasn't sure where to start because I'm dealing with two objects moving at different speeds. I think I'm suppose to be dealing with initial and final velocities, however I don't know which initial velocity I would use since this is an inelastic collision.

 

[LowlyPion]

J=delta p

I wasn't sure where to start because I'm dealing with two objects moving at different speeds. I think I'm suppose to be dealing with initial and final velocities, however I don't know which initial velocity I would use since this is an inelastic collision.

But they ask you what the impulse is on Block A. You know its initial p. And since matter wasn't destroyed that same mass of A now has acquired a final velocity, and hence has experienced a Δ in p right?