What Is the Mass of the Caboose After the Collision?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MooCow
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car Collision
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The problem involves a 29,000-kg railroad freight car colliding with a stationary caboose, which couples together post-collision. During the collision, 10% of the initial kinetic energy is lost to heat and sound. To find the mass of the caboose, one must use the momentum conservation equation, m1v1 = (m1 + m2)vf, alongside the kinetic energy equation to establish two equations with two unknowns: the final velocity (vf) and the mass of the caboose (m2).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of momentum conservation principles
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy equations
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation of equations
  • Basic physics concepts related to collisions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of momentum conservation in collisions
  • Learn how to derive and apply kinetic energy equations
  • Practice solving systems of equations with two variables
  • Explore real-world applications of collision physics in transportation
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying mechanics and collision theory, as well as educators seeking to explain concepts of momentum and energy loss in collisions.

MooCow
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 29000-kg railroad freight car collides with a stationary caboose car with brakes released. They couple together, and 10 percent of the initial kinetic energy is dissipated as heat, sound, vibrations, and so on. What is the mass of the caboose?

This is the equation that I've gotten. However, there are to many variables so I don't know where to go from here. I plugged in the same velocities but the mass turned out negative.

m1v1=(m1+m2)vf

I posted this question exactly as it was written. I wish I had more information for those who asked for it, but that is all I was given- thus my confusion!

Any help would be great. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You've got the first equation... you need one more... write the energy equation using the kinetic energies before and after the collision...

Then you'll have 2 equations with 2 unknowns (vf and the mass of the caboose).
 

Similar threads

Freight car-caboose collision finding mass without velocities
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
11K
Calculating Impulse and Energy in a Car Collision
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Collision Conservation of Energy
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Physics Help with elastic collision
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
What Is the Speed of Five Coupled Freight Cars After a Collision?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Sequental elastic and inelastic collisions
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Finding two objects velocity after an elastic collision
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
How Much Does the Caboose Weigh After a Collision?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Inelastic Collision of drunken driver
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
How can I find the velocity of the combined cars after collision?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K