Inelastic Collision of Masses – Rankers Physics
Topic: Center of Mass , Momentum and Collision
Subtopic: Collision

Inelastic Collision of Masses

A moving body of mass $m$ and velocity $3\text{ km/hour}$ collides with a rest body of mass $2\text{ m}$ and sticks to it. Now the combined mass starts to move. What will be the combined velocity?

(1996)

$3\text{ km/hour}$
$4\text{ km/hour}$
$1\text{ km/hour}$
$2\text{ km/hour}$

Solution:

Using conservation of linear momentum, $mu_1 = (m+2m)v$, where $u_1 = 3\text{ km/hour}$. Solving gives $3m = 3mv \implies v = 1\text{ km/hour}$

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