An automobile of mass traveling due east at rear-ends a stationary compact car of…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Linear Momentum · Linear Momentum
Problem
An automobile of mass 1.20×103kg traveling due east at 15ms−1 rear-ends a stationary compact car of mass 1.00×103kg on a level road. The two vehicles lock together and continue to move as a single mass immediately after the impact. Assume that external horizontal forces (such as friction with the road) are negligible during the short collision interval.
(1) Calculate the common speed vf of the two-car system immediately after the collision.
(2) Compute the initial kinetic energy of the system and the kinetic energy immediately after the collision. Determine the percentage of the initial kinetic energy that is lost.
(3) Express the energy lost in part (b) in kilojoules, and describe two forms of energy or physical effects in the vehicles that could account for this loss.