- #1
David112234
- 105
- 3
Homework Statement
Homework Equations
conservation of momentum
3. The Attempt at a Solution
initially car_1 has not y momentum so
\begin{equation}
m_1v_1x=(m_1+m_2)v cos(θ)
\end{equation}
and car_2 has no x momentum
\begin{equation}
m_2v_2y=(m_1+m_2)v sin(θ)
\end{equation}
using algebra
\begin{equation}
v cos(θ) = v_x = m_1v_1 /(m_1+m_2)
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}
v sin(θ) = v_y = m_2v_2 /(m_1+m_2)
\end{equation}
so v should equal the vector addition of its components v_x and v_y
or Patagonian theorem, which was my original answer, why is it wrong?