What is the Velocity of Object A After an Inelastic Collision?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the velocity of object A after an inelastic collision with object B. Given that object A has mass m and initial velocity v0i, while object B has mass 2m and initial velocity 1/2v0j, the final velocity of object B is 1/4v0i. The correct approach involves applying the conservation of momentum and accounting for the inelastic nature of the collision, which results in a combined final velocity. The user initially calculated the final velocity of object A as 1/2i + j, which is incorrect due to misapplication of momentum principles.

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  • Familiarity with kinetic energy calculations
  • Basic knowledge of vector addition and components
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Homework Statement



Object A, which has a mass m and a velocity v0i, collides head-on with object B, which has a mass 2m and a velocity 1/2v0j. Following the collision, object B has a velocity of 1/4v0i.

-Find the velocity of object A after the collision.

-Express the change in kinetic energy in terms of m and v0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I got 1/2i+j for the velocity and I am not sure why it is wrong. I set up the conservation of momentum equation and canceled the "m"s and just multiplied the coefficients(1 and 2) times the number in front of the velocity(either 1, 1/2, or 1/4) if that makes any sense.
 
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anyone? It doesn't seem difficult at all. I don't know what I'm missing here..
 

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