Finding the velocity after a collision?

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Homework Statement

A car is driving and hits the brakes for l₁ distance before colliding with another car at rest who has the brakes on. After the collision they slide distance l₂ together while braking.
The mass of both cars are known, and the friction between the road and the wheels is known as well.

Find the velocity of the car driving right before it hits the brakes.

Homework Equations

Something with momentum and impulse perhaps?

The Attempt at a Solution

Originally, I thought about using the total momentum equation, however I do not know any of the velocities before or after the collision. I only know the velocity of the car at rest before the collision.

$m_Av_{A1x}+m_Bv_{B1x}=(m_A+m_B)v_{2x}$

Where A denotes the moving car and B denotes the car initially at rest. 1 is before the collision and 2 is after.
I want to find $v_{A1x}$ and I know that $v_{B1x}=0$ but that still leaves me with $v_{2x}$.

Besides I don't even think that this equation is correct because I haven't taken the friction force into consideration.

Can somebody lead me to the right direction?

 

[Dick]

Homework Statement

A car is driving and hits the brakes for l₁ distance before colliding with another car at rest who has the brakes on. After the collision they slide distance l₂ together while braking.
The mass of both cars are known, and the friction between the road and the wheels is known as well.

Find the velocity of the car driving right before it hits the brakes.

Homework Equations

Something with momentum and impulse perhaps?

The Attempt at a Solution

Originally, I thought about using the total momentum equation, however I do not know any of the velocities before or after the collision. I only know the velocity of the car at rest before the collision.

$m_Av_{A1x}+m_Bv_{B1x}=(m_A+m_B)v_{2x}$

Where A denotes the moving car and B denotes the car initially at rest. 1 is before the collision and 2 is after.
I want to find $v_{A1x}$ and I know that $v_{B1x}=0$ but that still leaves me with $v_{2x}$.

Besides I don't even think that this equation is correct because I haven't taken the friction force into consideration.

Can somebody lead me to the right direction?

You know what the problem is. Take frictional force into account. Use conservation of energy to find the velocity of the first car when they collide taking friction into account. Use conservation of momentum at the moment they collide to find the velocity of both cars after they collide. Then use conservation of energy again.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

You know what the problem is. Take frictional force into account. Use conservation of energy to find the velocity of the first car when they collide taking friction into account. Use conservation of momentum at the moment they collide to find the velocity of both cars after they collide. Then use conservation of energy again.

So I use the law of conservation of energy:
ΔK + ΔU + ΔU_int = 0

ΔK = K₂ - K₁ = 1/2mv₂² = 1/2mv₁²

Already there I'm stuck. I don't know what the velocity of the car is before or after so how do I find an expression for the velocity before the collision?

 

[Dick]

So I use the law of conservation of energy:
ΔK + ΔU + ΔU_int = 0

ΔK = K₂ - K₁ = 1/2mv₂² = 1/2mv₁²

Already there I'm stuck. I don't know what the velocity of the car is before or after so how do I find an expression for the velocity before the collision?

You aren't taking the frictional force into account. If the first car is traveling at velocity v1, then its initial kinetic energy is (1/2)m1*v1^2. If coefficient of friction is μ then what's the force of friction? If the car travels a distance l1, then how much energy is lost to friction? What's the final velocity at the point of collision?

 

[PeroK]

It won't help, but it might be worth noting that when a car brakes, it doesn't slow down due to friction between the tyres and the road (unless you lock the brakes and it skids). Instead, the braking mechanism increases the "rolling resistance" on the motion of the wheels.

After the collision, it's possible that the brakes would be locked and the cars would skid.

The problem really ought to say that the braking forces are known.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

You aren't taking the frictional force into account. If the first car is traveling at velocity v1, then its initial kinetic energy is (1/2)m1*v1^2. If coefficient of friction is μ then what's the force of friction? If the car travels a distance l1, then how much energy is lost to friction? What's the final velocity at the point of collision?

But how do I implement the friction force into the equation?
I know that the friction force is equal to the normal force multiplied by the coefficient of friction:
f_k = μ_kn

And I know from my FBD that the normal force is equal to the gravity force:
f_k = μ_kmg

But how can I implement this into my conservation of energy?

I can transform it into work done by friction. The work that friction does is:
W_fric = -f_kl1 = -μ_kmgl1

Would it be collect to just subtract the kinetic energy with the friction energy? So I get:

$\frac{1}{2}mv^2_1-\mu_kmgl_1$

So this velocity is right before the collision. But what are they equal to?

 

[Dick]

But how do I implement the friction force into the equation?
I know that the friction force is equal to the normal force multiplied by the coefficient of friction:
f_k = μ_kn

And I know from my FBD that the normal force is equal to the gravity force:
f_k = μ_kmg

But how can I implement this into my conservation of energy?

I can transform it into work done by friction. The work that friction does is:
W_fric = -f_kl1 = -μ_kmgl1

Would it be collect to just subtract the kinetic energy with the friction energy? So I get:

$\frac{1}{2}mv^2_1-\mu_kmgl_1$

So this velocity is right before the collision. But what are they equal to?

$\frac{1}{2}m_1 v^2_1-\mu_k m_1 g l_1$ will be the kinetic energy of the first car just before collision. So it's equal to $\frac{1}{2}m_1 v_c^2$ where $v_c$ is the velocity just before they collide. PeroK makes a good point about braking, but I think this is what they expect you to do.

 

[PeroK]

But how do I implement the friction force into the equation?
I know that the friction force is equal to the normal force multiplied by the coefficient of friction:
f_k = μ_kn

And I know from my FBD that the normal force is equal to the gravity force:
f_k = μ_kmg

That force would apply whether or not you are braking. The brakes don't turn on gravity, nor increase the mass of the car, nor cause friction on the road surface.

But how can I implement this into my conservation of energy?

I can transform it into work done by friction. The work that friction does is:
W_fric = -f_kl1 = -μ_kmgl1

Would it be collect to just subtract the kinetic energy with the friction energy? So I get:

$\frac{1}{2}mv^2_1-\mu_kmgl_1$

So this velocity is right before the collision. But what are they equal to?

Yes, that would be correct for a block sliding along a road. Not for a car! But, the maths is correct.

The answer here will be a complicated function for v in terms of all the other variables. You're not going to get v = 10 m/s or anything like that.

You just have to keep going now and do the same for the second deceleration when the two cars are together. The answer will be a complicated function like you're working out.

PS Yes, I agree I think you're doing the problem as expected.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

$\frac{1}{2}m_1 v^2_1-\mu_k m_1 g l_1$ will be the kinetic energy of the first car just before collision. So it's equal to $\frac{1}{2}m_1 v_c^2$ where $v_c$ is the velocity just before they collide. PeroK makes a good point about braking, but I think this is what they expect you to do.

So I have from my conservation of mechanical energy that:
$K_1+U_1=K_2+U_2$

Since the potential energies are zero that leaves me with:
$K_1=K_2$
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_1-\mu_km_1gl_1=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_c$

But my problem is here that I don't know either of the two velocities $v^2_1$ and $v^2_c$

I assume the first velocity is the velocity of the car before it brakes, correct?

I then have my conservation of momentum:
$m_Av_{A1x}+m_Bv_{B1x}=(m_A+m_B)v_{2x}$

Just before the collision, the car B is still at rest which means that $v_{B1x}$ is zero.

$m_Av_{A1x}=(m_A+m_B)v_{2x}$

From my conservation of energy I can isolate $v^2_1$ which is the velocity of the car before it brakes. But if I insert that into my conservation of momentum then I still do not know the velocity of both cars after collision $v_{2x}$

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

That force would apply whether or not you are braking. The brakes don't turn on gravity, nor increase the mass of the car, nor cause friction on the road surface.



Yes, that would be correct for a block sliding along a road. Not for a car! But, the maths is correct.

The answer here will be a complicated function for v in terms of all the other variables. You're not going to get v = 10 m/s or anything like that.

You just have to keep going now and do the same for the second deceleration when the two cars are together. The answer will be a complicated function like you're working out.

PS Yes, I agree I think you're doing the problem as expected.

Ya, I thought a long time about the braking force versus friction force and it does make sense that the breaking force plays a much bigger importance.
But I tried to draw a FBD with the braking force implemented and no matter what i tried, I could find any expression for the braking force.

 

[Dick]

So I have from my conservation of mechanical energy that:
$K_1+U_1=K_2+U_2$

Since the potential energies are zero that leaves me with:
$K_1=K_2$
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_1-\mu_km_1gl_1=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_c$

But my problem is here that I don't know either of the two velocities $v^2_1$ and $v^2_c$

I assume the first velocity is the velocity of the car before it brakes, correct?

I then have my conservation of momentum:
$m_Av_{A1x}+m_Bv_{B1x}=(m_A+m_B)v_{2x}$

Just before the collision, the car B is still at rest which means that $v_{B1x}$ is zero.

$m_Av_{A1x}=(m_A+m_B)v_{2x}$

From my conservation of energy I can isolate $v^2_1$ which is the velocity of the car before it brakes. But if I insert that into my conservation of momentum then I still do not know the velocity of both cars after collision $v_{2x}$

I think the idea here is just to write the initial velocity, which I called $v_1$, as a function of all of the 'known' variables in the problem $\mu_k, m_1, m_2, l_1, l_2$. So no, you don't know any of those quantities as a number. It is kind of complicated, but you can do it. Next solve the collision problem with $v_c$ as the initial velocity of $m_1$.

 

[Dick]

Ya, I thought a long time about the braking force versus friction force and it does make sense that the breaking force plays a much bigger importance.
But I tried to draw a FBD with the braking force implemented and no matter what i tried, I could find any expression for the braking force.

Braking force would have to be yet another given variable, you can't really derive it from anything else here. I think we have enough variables. I'd just assume the brakes lock the wheels and the braking force is the road friction.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

I think the idea here is just to write the initial velocity, which I called $v_1$, as a function of all of the 'known' variables in the problem $\mu_k, m_1, m_2, l_1, l_2$. So no, you don't know any of those quantities as a number. It is kind of complicated, but you can do it. Next solve the collision problem with $v_c$ as the initial velocity of $m_1$.

Alright, so I tried the best that I could and this is what I came up with:

Conservation of mechanical energy before and after the collision gives me (no potential energy):
$K_1=K_2$

K₁ is the kinetic energy of the driving car before the collision which when taking the work of the friction force which is opposite into consideration yields:
$K_1=\frac{1}{2}m_{driving}v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_{driving}gl_1$

K₂ is the kinetic energy after the collision (as they collide their masses are added together):
$K_2=\frac{1}{2}(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v^2_{collision}$

Equal to each other as per the conservation of mechanical energy:
$\frac{1}{2}m_{driving}v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_{driving}gl_1=\frac{1}{2}(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v^2_{collision}$

The expression for the velocity after the collision is:

Conservation of momentum before and after the collision:
$m_{driving}v_{driving}+m_{rest}v_{rest}=(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v_{collision}$

Since the other car was at rest:
$m_{driving}v_{driving}=(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v_{collision}$

Now I can insert the expression of the velocity after the collision that I found earlier and find the expression for the velocity of the driving car before the collision, v_driving

Is this the correct method?

 

[Dick]

Alright, so I tried the best that I could and this is what I came up with:

Conservation of mechanical energy before and after the collision gives me (no potential energy):
$K_1=K_2$

K₁ is the kinetic energy of the driving car before the collision which when taking the work of the friction force which is opposite into consideration yields:
$K_1=\frac{1}{2}m_{driving}v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_{driving}gl_1$

K₂ is the kinetic energy after the collision (as they collide their masses are added together):
$K_2=\frac{1}{2}(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v^2_{collision}$

Equal to each other as per the conservation of mechanical energy:
$\frac{1}{2}m_{driving}v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_{driving}gl_1=\frac{1}{2}(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v^2_{collision}$

The expression for the velocity after the collision is:

Conservation of momentum before and after the collision:
$m_{driving}v_{driving}+m_{rest}v_{rest}=(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v_{collision}$

Since the other car was at rest:
$m_{driving}v_{driving}=(m_{driving}+m_{rest})v_{collision}$

Now I can insert the expression of the velocity after the collision that I found earlier and find the expression for the velocity of the driving car before the collision, v_driving

Is this the correct method?

Your are doing some stuff right. For one thing you should spell out clearly what your variables mean, particularly the v's. There are three interesting values of v, the initial velocity of the first car, which I think is your $v_{driving}$. Then there is the velocity of that car immediately before the collision and the velocity of both cars immediately after the collision. One thing that is definitely wrong is to relate those two by conservation of energy. Kinetic energy is not conserved in the collision, it's inelastic. You need to use momentum conservation alone at the collision time.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Your are doing some stuff right. For one thing you should spell out clearly what your variables mean, particularly the v's. There are three interesting values of v, the initial velocity of the first car, which I think is your $v_{driving}$. Then there is the velocity of that car immediately before the collision and the velocity of both cars immediately after the collision. One thing that is definitely wrong is to relate those two by conservation of energy. Energy is not conserved in the collision, it's inelastic. You need to use momentum conservation alone at the collision time.

Alright. So my variables are:
v_driving=First car driving before the collision
v_impact=First car's velocity right before the collision
v_collision=Both of the car's velocities together after the collision

m₁=First car that drives
m₂=Second car at rest

My goal is to find v_driving.

Momentum conservation between the speed of the first car and the speed of both after collision gives:
$m_1v_{driving}=(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}$

Then I have energy conservation just before the impact:
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{imapct}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$

Do we agree on those two equations? :) Am I missing anything else?

 

[Dick]

Alright. So my variables are:
v_driving=First car driving before the collision
v_impact=First car's velocity right before the collision
v_collision=Both of the car's velocities together after the collision

m₁=First car that drives
m₂=Second car at rest

My goal is to find v_driving.

Momentum conservation between the speed of the first car and the speed of both after collision gives:
$m_1v_{driving}=(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}$?

Then I have energy conservation just before the impact:
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{imapct}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$

Do we agree on those two equations? :) Am I missing anything else?

Great job on defining variables. That's always a good start. But for your equations don't you mean:
$m_1v_{impact}=(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}$ and $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$?

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Great job on defining variables. That's always a good start. But for your equations don't you mean:
$m_1v_{impact}=(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}$ and $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$?

Hmm, let me see if I understand this correctly.

Right before the collision and after the collision, we have an inelastic collision.
The energy is conserved between the scenarios for when the car is driving and when the car is breaking and ends at right before the collision. This is not when we can use the momentum conversation because kinetic energy is not conserved.

Ya, that makes sense now. :)

But from what I can see, we are still missing an extra equation, right?

We still cannot fully express our $v_{collision}$ in terms of those two equations, so what if we use the conservation of energy right after the collision and until both cars are at rest?

$\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{rest}-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$

Since after the collision their length when they're braking is l₂ and their mass is now added together.
We also know that at the last scenario where the energy is still conserved and where both cars are at rest, the velocity $v_{rest}=0$

So we end up with:
$\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$

Now we can find an expression for $v_{collision}$ and then isolate this and insert it in our conservation of momentum to find $v_{impact}$ and then we can insert the expression of $v_{impact}$ and finally find an expression for $v_{driving}$

Did I understand this correctly? :)

 

[Dick]

Hmm, let me see if I understand this correctly.

Right before the collision and after the collision, we have an inelastic collision.
The energy is conserved between the scenarios for when the car is driving and when the car is breaking and ends at right before the collision. This is not when we can use the momentum conversation because kinetic energy is not conserved.

Ya, that makes sense now. :)

But from what I can see, we are still missing an extra equation, right?

We still cannot fully express our $v_{collision}$ in terms of those two equations, so what if we use the conservation of energy right after the collision and until both cars are at rest?

$\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{rest}-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$

Since after the collision their length when they're braking is l₂ and their mass is now added together.
We also know that at the last scenario where the energy is still conserved and where both cars are at rest, the velocity $v_{rest}=0$

So we end up with:
$\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$

Now we can find an expression for $v_{collision}$ and then isolate this and insert it in our conservation of momentum to find $v_{impact}$ and then we can insert the expression of $v_{impact}$ and finally find an expression for $v_{driving}$

Did I understand this correctly? :)

Yes, you are getting it. You start with an initial amount of kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2}(m_1)v^2_{driving}$. You lose some of it due to friction before the collision. Then you also lose some during the collision because it's inelastic. Then you lose the rest while both cars coast to a halt. So I think your last equation should be $\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$ without the minus sign.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Yes, you are getting it. You start with an initial amount of kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2}(m_1)v^2_{driving}$. You lose some of it due to friction before the collision. Then you also lose some during the collision because it's inelastic. Then you lose the rest while both cars coast to a halt. So I think your last equation should be $\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$ without the minus sign.

Great, thanks!

I have another question. How energy was used for the deformation of the cars?

Does it have something to do with the kinetic energies before and after the collision?

 

[Dick]

Great, thanks!

I have another question. How energy was used for the deformation of the cars?

Does it have something to do with the kinetic energies before and after the collision?

Well, sure. The difference between the kinetic energies is the energy consumed by the collision.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Well, sure. The difference between the kinetic energies is the energy consumed by the collision.

Oh okay. So in order to find how much energy was used for the deformation of the cars, all i have to do is find out how much kinetic energy I started with before the collision and how much energy I end with after the collision, right?

Before the collision, I have the kinetic energy:
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$

After the collision, I end up with the kinetic energy:
$\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{rest}-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$

In the first equation, I have the kinetic energy of the first car which is equal to the kinetic energy right before the collision. This energy is conserved.

In the second equation, I have the kinetic energy of both cars right after the collision, and this energy is also conserved and equals the kinetic energy when both cars are at rest.

Would it be possible to say:
$W_{deformation}=(\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1)-(\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{rest}-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2)$

The kinetic energy right before the collision subtracted by the kinetic energy at rest gives us the amount of energy lost to deformation?

 

[Dick]

Oh okay. So in order to find how much energy was used for the deformation of the cars, all i have to do is find out how much kinetic energy I started with before the collision and how much energy I end with after the collision, right?

Before the collision, I have the kinetic energy:
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$

After the collision, I end up with the kinetic energy:
$\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{rest}-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$

In the first equation, I have the kinetic energy of the first car which is equal to the kinetic energy right before the collision. This energy is conserved.

In the second equation, I have the kinetic energy of both cars right after the collision, and this energy is also conserved and equals the kinetic energy when both cars are at rest.

Would it be possible to say:
$W_{deformation}=(\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1)-(\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{rest}-\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2)$

The kinetic energy right before the collision subtracted by the kinetic energy at rest gives us the amount of energy lost to deformation?

Oh, heck. I got my subscripts wrong. I meant $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_1gl_1$. You use that to find $v_{impact}$. Then you use momentum conservation in the inelastic collision to find $v_{collision}$. Then you use $\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$ to finish. You don't have to find the energy lost. It will fall out at the end. Just put those three things together and try to find $v_{driving}$ in terms of the rest.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Oh, heck. I got my subscripts wrong. I meant $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_1gl_1$. You use that to find $v_{impact}$. Then you use momentum conservation in the inelastic collision to find $v_{collision}$. Then you use $\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}=\mu_k(m_1+m_2)gl_2$ to finish. You don't have to find the energy lost. It will fall out at the end. Just put those three things together and try to find $v_{driving}$ in terms of the rest.

Is this regarding the first question finding $v_{driving}$?
Why was the subscript wrong? It made sense that because the car is braking right before the collision, that $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$

Should the friction force be subtracted from the kinetic energy right before the collision because that's when the car brakes?

 

[Dick]

Is this regarding the first question finding $v_{driving}$?
Why was the subscript wrong? It made sense that because the car is braking right before the collision, that $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}-\mu_km_1gl_1$

Should the friction force be subtracted from the kinetic energy right before the collision because that's when the car brakes?

No, you start with kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}$. You lose energy due to braking of $\mu_km_1gl_1$. So $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_1gl_1$. Doesn't that make sense? Please say yes?

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

No, you start with kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}$. You lose energy due to braking of $\mu_km_1gl_1$. So $\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{driving}-\mu_km_1gl_1$. Doesn't that make sense? Please say yes?

Ah yes, staying up till 6 in the morning for exams takes its toll on me :)

But that was for the question about finding $v_{driving}$

My final question was regarding finding the energy lost due to deformation. What was wrong about my expression for $W_{deformation}$?

 

[Dick]

Ah yes, staying up till 6 in the morning for exams takes its toll on me :)

But that was for the question about finding $v_{driving}$

My final question was regarding finding the energy lost due to deformation. What was wrong about my expression for $W_{deformation}$?

Nothing. But you don't need to find that right now. My comment about summing the loses was more conceptual. You should now have three equations in the three unknowns $v_{driving}, v_{impact}, v_{collision}$ you just need to eliminate the other two velocities and get an expression for $v_{driving}$ alone in terms of the other values.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Nothing. But you don't need to find that right now. My comment about summing the loses was more conceptual. You should now have three equations in the three unknowns $v_{driving}, v_{impact}, v_{collision}$ you just need to eliminate the other two velocities and get an expression for $v_{driving}$ alone in terms of the other values.

My assignment consists of two questions. One is to find an expression for $v_{driving}$ and the other question is to find the energy that was used for the deformation of the cars. :)

I feel pretty confident about the expression for $v_{driving}$ where I use the 3 equations with the 3 variables.

That only leaves me with the the second question that I was given regarding the energy used for the deformation.
Was the above method that I used for finding $W_{deformation}$ correct?

 

[Dick]

My assignment consists of two questions. One is to find an expression for $v_{driving}$ and the other question is to find the energy that was used for the deformation of the cars. :)

I feel pretty confident about the expression for $v_{driving}$ where I use the 3 equations with the 3 variables.

That only leaves me with the the second question that I was given regarding the energy used for the deformation.
Was the above method that I used for finding $W_{deformation}$ correct?

Saying $W_{deformation}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}$ would be correct. No, I don't think the expression you gave is correct. Both of the equations you gave before that had sign errors. And $v_{rest}$ is just 0, right? Probably don't need a separate symbol for it.

 

[PhyIsOhSoHard]

Saying $W_{deformation}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v^2_{impact}=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v^2_{collision}$ would be correct. No, I don't think the expression you gave is correct. Both of the equations you gave before that had sign errors. And $v_{rest}$ is just 0, right? Probably don't need a separate symbol for it.

Could it really be this simple:

Keeping in mind that "driving" is the initial velocity of the first car,
"impact" is right before the collision
"collision" is right after the collision

$KE_{lost}=KE_1-KE_2$

Where $KE_1$ is before the collision and $KE_2$ is after the collision.

Before the collision:
$KE_1=\frac{1}{2}mv_{impact}^2=\frac{1}{2}mv_{driving}^2-\mu mgl_1$

After the collision:
$KE_2=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}^2=\mu (m_1+m_2)gl_2$

So the kinetic energy lost can be found by either two equations:
$KE_{lost}=(\frac{1}{2}mv_{impact}^2)-(\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}^2)$

Or:

$KE_{lost}=(\frac{1}{2}mv_{driving}^2-\mu mgl_1)-(\mu (m_1+m_2)gl_2)$

Does that work?

 

[Dick]

Could it really be this simple:

Keeping in mind that "driving" is the initial velocity of the first car,
"impact" is right before the collision
"collision" is right after the collision

$KE_{lost}=KE_1-KE_2$

Where $KE_1$ is before the collision and $KE_2$ is after the collision.

Before the collision:
$KE_1=\frac{1}{2}mv_{impact}^2=\frac{1}{2}mv_{driving}^2-\mu mgl_1$

After the collision:
$KE_2=\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}^2=\mu (m_1+m_2)gl_2$

So the kinetic energy lost can be found by either two equations:
$KE_{lost}=(\frac{1}{2}mv_{impact}^2)-(\frac{1}{2}(m_1+m_2)v_{collision}^2)$

Or:

$KE_{lost}=(\frac{1}{2}mv_{driving}^2-\mu mgl_1)-(\mu (m_1+m_2)gl_2)$

Does that work?

Yes, that works. And it's easy to see why. You are just subtracting the two frictional losses from the original kinetic energy. The difference is what is lost in the collision itself.