Two lumps of clay approach each other from opposite directions and collide head on inelastically, combing into one large lump

Two lumps of clay approach each other from opposite directions and collide head on inelastically, combing into one large lump after they collide. the first lump has a mass of 0.140kg and has a speed of 3.50 m/s before the Collision. the second lump has a mass of 0.620kg and has a speed of 4.81 m/s before the collison in a direction opposite that of the first lump. what velocity does the combined lump have after the collision?

Answer: To start, since we know they collide inelastically, we can use the equation:

m1 * v1i + m2 * v2i = (m1 + m2) vf

Solving for vf (velocity final),

(m1 * v1i + m2 * v2i) / (m1 + m2) = vf

Substituting known values,

(.14 * 3.5 + .62 * -4.81) / (.14 + .62) = vf

vf = -3.28

The negative means m2 is going the other way, and the solution means that the final mass is going in the direction of m2.

One Reply to “Two lumps of clay approach each other from opposite directions and collide head on inelastically, combing into one large lump”

  1. To start, since we know they collide inelastically, we can use the equation:

    m1 * v1i + m2 * v2i = (m1 + m2) vf

    Solving for vf (velocity final),

    (m1 * v1i + m2 * v2i) / (m1 + m2) = vf

    Substituting known values,

    (.14 * 3.5 + .62 * -4.81) / (.14 + .62) = vf

    vf = -3.28

    The negative means m2 is going the other way, and the solution means that the final mass is going in the direction of m2.

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