Solving a Fishy Collision: Velocity After Impact

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving a completely inelastic collision between two fish. The large fish, weighing three times more than the smaller fish, initially travels at 2 m/s while the smaller fish is at rest. To determine the final velocities after the collision, one must apply the principle of conservation of momentum, equating the initial momentum of the system to the final momentum post-collision.

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  • Understanding of momentum conservation principles
  • Knowledge of completely inelastic collisions
  • Familiarity with basic physics equations
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
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  • Study the conservation of momentum in one-dimensional collisions
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HelloMotto
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Homework Statement



A large fish traveling at 2m/s initially swallos at a smaller fish which is initially at rest. The large fish then, travels at a reduced speed. The large fish weighs 3 times heavier than the smaller fish. What is the velocity of the large fish and the small fish after the collision?

I have no clue as to how to figure this out. Shouldn't both fish be traveling at the same speed after the collision?
 
Last edited:
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HelloMotto said:
Shouldn't both fish be traveling at the same speed after the collision?
Right. It's an example of a completely inelastic "collision". Set initial momentum equal to final momentum.
 

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