Question

A trolley of mass 4 kg moving at 2 m s⁻¹ collides with a stationary trolley of mass 1kg. They stick together. What is their common velocity?

Options

• 2.0 m s^-1

• 3.2 m s^-1

• 1.6 m s^-1

• 0.8 m s^-1

Answer 1

1.6 m s^-1

Explanation:

In a perfectly inelastic collision, total momentum is conserved. The combined mass moves with a common velocity calculated using conservation of momentum.