Question

an 800 kg sports car traveling on the freeway stops in order to allow a deer to cross the road. a 1,200 kg truck behind the sports car continues at 25 m/s and crashes into it. if the bumpers of the two vehicles lock together, what is the velocity of the vehicles after the collision? use whole numbers and do include units in your answer

Explanation:

Step1: Apply the law of conservation of momentum

The formula for conservation of momentum is \(m_1v_1 + m_2v_2=(m_1 + m_2)v\). Here, \(m_1 = 800\space kg\), \(v_1=0\space m/s\) (the sports - car stops), \(m_2 = 1200\space kg\), \(v_2 = 25\space m/s\).

Step2: Substitute the values into the formula

$$
LATEXBLOCK0
$$

Step3: Solve for \(v\)

Divide both sides of the equation \(30000 = 2000v\) by \(2000\). So, \(v=\frac{30000}{2000}=15\space m/s\)

Answer:

\(15\space m/s\)