Two vehicles approach a right angle intersection and then suddenly collide. After the collision, they become entangled. If their mass ratios were 1:4 and their respective speeds as they approached the intersection were both 13 m/s, find the magnitude and direction of the final velocity of the wreck.

Respuesta :

Answer with Explanation:

Let mass of one vehicle =m

Mass of other vehicle=m'

[tex]\frac{m}{m'}=\frac{1}{4}[/tex]

[tex]m'=4m[/tex]

Velocity of one vehicle=[tex]v=13 im/s[/tex]

Velocity of other vehicle=[tex]v'=13jm/s[/tex]

In x- direction

By law of conservation of momentum

[tex]mv+0=(m+m')V_x[/tex]

[tex]13m=(m+4m)V_x[/tex]

[tex]13m=5mV_x[/tex]

[tex]V_x=\frac{13}{5}[/tex]

In y- direction

By law of conservation of momentum

[tex]0+m'v'=(m+m')V_y[/tex]

[tex]4m(13)=5mV_y[/tex]

[tex]V_y=\frac{52m}{5m}=\frac{52}{5}[/tex]

Magnitude of velocity of the wreck,V=[tex]\sqrt{V^2_x+V^2_y}=\sqrt{(\frac{13}{5})^2+(\frac{52}{5})^2}=10.72 m/s[/tex]

Direction:[tex]\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{V_y}{V_x})[/tex]

[tex]\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{\frac{52}{5}}{\frac{13}{5}})=75.96^{\circ}[/tex]