What Is the Van's Velocity After Collision in a Momentum Conservation Problem?

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In a momentum conservation problem, a car with a mass of 15,000 kg traveling at 40 m/s collides with a van of mass 30,000 kg moving at 30 m/s. After the collision, the car reportedly moves backward at 3 m/s, raising questions about the logic of the scenario. Some participants suggest that the car's speed may have simply decreased by 3 m/s instead of reversing direction. Clarification on the problem's wording is recommended to ensure accurate calculations. Understanding the initial conditions is crucial for determining the van's velocity post-collision.
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1 car has mass 15000 drive in velocity 40m/s and 1 van has mass 30000 drive in velocity 30m/s after collision the car go back 3m/s so what is the velocity of the van if the car and the van drive in 1 direction on the street?... i really doubt if the velocity of car is -3m/s



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kompheak vic said:
i really doubt if the velocity of car is -3m/s
If I understand you correctly, the problem statement tells you that the car bounces back at 3 m/s (and thus its velocity is -3 m/s). Use that fact to calculate the speed of the van after the collision.
 
but i still don't know why the car hit the van in the speed of 1 direction and the result the car bounce back 3m/s it not logic
 
kompheak vic said:
but i still don't know why the car hit the van in the speed of 1 direction and the result the car bounce back 3m/s it not logic
It's certainly not realistic data. Perhaps you are misinterpreting what was meant:

kompheak vic said:
...after collision the car go back 3m/s
Perhaps that means the speed of the car was reduced by 3 m/s. That would be much more realistic.

Did you provide the problem exactly as it was given to you, word for word? If not, try to do so.
 
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