How Is Velocity and Impulse Determined in a Two-Car Collision?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a two-car collision scenario, focusing on the concepts of velocity and impulse. The problem involves a car of mass 1500 kg colliding with a parked car of mass 2000 kg, with the cars sticking together post-collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using conservation of momentum to determine the final velocity after the collision and the impulse involved. There are attempts to set up equations based on initial and final momentum.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on applying conservation of momentum, and there is an exploration of the relationship between momentum before and after the collision. However, there is a lack of explicit consensus on the interpretation of impulse in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the cars stick together after the collision, and there is a mention of the initial momentum value being used in calculations. The discussion includes questioning the implications of momentum change and impulse being zero.

cary5
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1. A car of mass 1500 kg traveling at 20 m/s hits a parked car of mass 2000
kg. The two cars stick together.
a. Find the velocity of the cars after the collision
b. Determine the impulse

i know that the momentom befor the collition is 30,000 how can i use that to find the Vf
 
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use conservation of momentum to find the final velocity.

total initial momentum = total final momentum
 


yinx said:
use conservation of momentum to find the final velocity.

total initial momentum = total final momentum

ok so hier is wat i did
Pbefor=Pafte
30,000=3500*Vf
8.57=Vf

and since the change in p is the same befor and after then the change in p would be 0 and therefor the impuls would be 0

m i rite?
 


thats right
 

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