Inelastic Collisions: Calculating Momentum

AI Thread Summary
In a completely inelastic collision involving two clay balls of equal mass, one traveling at 5.6 m/s and the other at 7.8 m/s perpendicularly, the momentum must be calculated using vector components. The total momentum before the collision is determined by splitting it into x and y components based on the initial velocities. The final velocity of the combined mass can be calculated using the equation vf = (m1vi1 + m2vi2) / (m1 + m2). After performing the calculations, the magnitude of the momentum of the combined balls can be determined. This approach effectively illustrates the principles of momentum conservation in inelastic collisions.
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Homework Statement




Two clay balls of the same mass stick together in an completely inelastic collision. Before the collision, one travels at 5.6 m/s and the other at 7.8 m/s, and their paths of motion are perpendicular. If the mass of each ball is 0.23 kg, what is the magnitude of the momentum of the combined balls after the collision?



Homework Equations



vf= (m1vi1 + m2vi2) / m1 + m2



The Attempt at a Solution

 
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split the final momentum into x and y components
 

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