Question

A 1000 kg car at rest is rear-
ended by a 1500 kg truck.
After the collision, the two
vehicles stick
together and slide a distance
of 10 m. If the coefficient of
kinetic friction between the
tires and
the road is 0.7, what was the
initial velocity of the truck?

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Car mass (m1) = 1000 kg

Truck mass (m2) = 1500 kg

Initial car velocity (v1i) = 0 m/s

Coefficient of kinetic friction (μk) = 0.7

Distance slid (d) = 10 m

We can use the equation for conservation of momentum:

m1 * v1i + m2 * v2i = (m1 + m2) * vf

We also know that the work done by friction is equal to the change in kinetic energy:

-μk * m1 * g * d = 0.5 * (m1 + m2) * vf^2