Conservation of Momentum, a Totally Inelastic Collision

AI Thread Summary
In a discussion about a totally inelastic collision involving a 950kg compact car and a 450kg hay wagon, participants focused on calculating the final velocity after the collision. The initial velocities of the car and wagon are given as vector components. The conservation of momentum equation is applied, but confusion arises regarding how to properly combine the vector components for the calculation. Participants suggest separately calculating the x and y components of momentum before combining them to find the final velocity. Clear calculations are requested to resolve the confusion and ensure accurate results.
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Homework Statement



A 950kg compact car is moving with the velocity ⃗v1 = 32 ˆx + 17 ˆy m/s. It
skids on an icy, frictionless patch and collides with a 450kg hay wagon
moving with velocity ⃗v2 = 12ˆx +14ˆy m/s. If the two stay together,
what is their velocity?


Homework Equations



m1v1 (initial) + m2v2 (initial) = vf (m1+ m2)

The Attempt at a Solution



I realize this is a totally inelastic collision and I need to use the above equation to solve. However, I don't know how to change the vector components into a number that can be plugged into the formula. I have tried adding the vector components of both velocities (x+x, y+y) but the answers I am getting do not sound right. I tried doing this because I figured if I know the numbers for the masses I can factor them out and have the vectors being added to together, but I don't think this is the solution. Please help!
 
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Show your calculations. Try this one.
m1*v1x + m2*v2x = (m1+m2)*vfx.
Similarly for y components.
 

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