Two identical gliders slide toward each other on an air track. One glider moves at 1 m/s and the other glider moves at 2 m/s. They collide and stick. The combined gliders move at

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The total momentum before the collision is the sum of the momenta of the two gliders. Since they are identical, let their mass be m. The momentum of the first glider is m * 1 m/s, and the second is m * (-2 m/s) (negative because it's in the opposite direction). The total momentum is m * 1 + m * (-2) = -m. After they stick together, their combined mass is 2m. The velocity v of the combined gliders is given by the conservation of momentum: 2m * v = -m, so v = -m / 2m = -1/2 m/s. The speed is 1/2 m/s.

Two Identical Gliders Slide Toward Each Other on an Air