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A truck with a mass of 4285 kg is moving at 9. 35 m/s. it crashes into the rear end of a larger truck with a mass of 5495 kg moving at 6. 35 m/s in the same direction. a. what is the final velocity if the trucks lock together? b. how much does the kinetic energy decrease in the collision?

Sagot :

(a) The final velocity if the trucks lock together after the collision is 7.66 m/s.

(b) The decrease in the kinetic energy after the collision is 11,165.1 J.

Conservation of linear momentum

The final velocity of the two truck system after the collision is determined by applying the principle of conservation of linear momentum as shown below;

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁ + m₂)

4285(9.35) + 5495(6.35) = v(4285 + 5495)

74,958 = 9,780v

v = 74,958/9780

v = 7.66 m/s

Initial kinetic energy of the trucks

K.E = ¹/₂mv²

K.Ei = ¹/₂(4285)(9.35)² + ¹/₂(5495)(6.35)²

K.Ei = 298,088.78 J

Final kinetic energy of the trucks

K.Ef = ¹/₂(m₁ + m₂)v²

K.Ef = ¹/₂(4285  + 5495)(7.66)²

K.Ef = 286,923.68 J

Change in kinetic energy

ΔK.E = K.Ef - K.Ei

ΔK.E = 286,923.68 J - 298,088.78 J

ΔK.E = - 11,165.1 J

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