A 0.5 kg object moving at 4 m/s collides inelastically with a stationary 1.5 kg object and they stick together. What is their common velocity immediately after the collision?
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer
A. 1 m/s
Principle or equation
Conservation of momentum for a perfectly inelastic collision: m1 v1 = (m1 + m2) v_final.
Why this answer is correct
Initial momentum = 0.5*4 = 2 kg m/s. Total mass = 2.0 kg. Thus v_final = 2/2 = 1 m/s.
Example
A 1 kg ball moving at 3 m/s sticks to a 2 kg stationary ball; final speed = 1 m/s.
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