A $1500 - \mathrm { kg }$ car traveling at $90 \mathrm {~km} / \mathrm { h }$ toward the east suddenly collides with a $3000 - \mathrm { kg }$ car traveling at $60 \mathrm {~km} / \mathrm { h }$ toward the south. The two cars stick together after the collision. What is the speed of the cars after collision?
A) 14 m/s
B) 17 m/s
C) 22 m/s
D) 8.3 m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The momentum is conserved in both the east and south directions. Calculate the resultant velocity using the Pythagorean theorem: $v = \sqrt{(v_x^2 + v_y^2)}$, where $v_x = \frac{1500 \times 25}{4500}$ and $v_y = \frac{3000 \times 16.67}{4500}$. The resultant speed is approximately 14 m/s.

A 1500−kg1500 - \mathrm { kg }1500−kg Car Traveling At 90 km/h90 \mathrm {~km} / \mathrm { h }90 km/h

A $1500 - \mathrm { kg }$ Car Traveling At $90 \mathrm {~km} / \mathrm { h }$