What is the Velocity of the Combined Freight Cars in a Collision?

In summary, two freight cars with masses of 3000 kg and 12,000 kg respectively, collide and couple together in a freight yard. The empty car was coasting at 10m/s and the loaded car was stationary. By calculating the momentum of each car and summing them, the final velocity of the combined cars was found to be 180 m/s. The focus of the problem was on momentum and impulse.
  • #1
jazzysoshort
4
0

Homework Statement


In a freight yard a train is being put together from freight cars. An empty freight car, coasting at 10m/s, strikes a loaded car that is stationary, and the cars couple together. Each of the cars has a mass of 3000 kg when empty, and the loaded car contains 12,000 kg of canned soda. With what speed does the combination of the two cars start to move?


Homework Equations


p=mv (f)(change in time)=p



The Attempt at a Solution


calculated p for empty car p=(10)(3000) p=30,000
calculated the full momentum p=(10)(15000) p=150,000
totaled the masses to find the velocity 180,000=18,000v v=180 m/s
 
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  • #2
nvm.
 
  • #3
No i didn't find inertia, but the whole worksheet is dealing with momentum and impulse.
 

1. What is the difference between velocity and momentum?

Velocity is a measure of an object's speed and direction of motion, while momentum is a measure of an object's tendency to continue moving in a particular direction at a constant speed.

2. How are velocity and momentum related?

Velocity and momentum are related in that they both involve an object's speed and direction of motion. However, momentum also takes into account the object's mass, while velocity does not.

3. Can an object have velocity without momentum?

Yes, an object can have velocity without momentum if its mass is zero or if it is not moving in a particular direction. In this case, the object's velocity would be zero, but it would not have any momentum.

4. How does an object's mass affect its velocity and momentum?

An object's mass does not directly affect its velocity, but it does affect its momentum. The greater an object's mass, the greater its momentum will be for a given velocity.

5. How can velocity and momentum be calculated?

Velocity can be calculated by dividing the distance an object travels by the time it takes to travel that distance. Momentum can be calculated by multiplying an object's mass by its velocity.

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