Accident Analysis. Two cars collide at an intersection. | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for University Physics

Chapter 8 Problem 38E

Question

Accident Analysis.? Two cars collide at an intersection. Car A , with a mass of 2000 kg, is going from west to east, while car B , of mass 1500 kg, is going from north to south at 15 m/s. As a result, the two cars become enmeshed and move as one. As an expert witness, you inspect the scene and determine that, after the collision, the enmeshed cars moved at an angle of 65° south of east from the point of impact. (a) How fast were the enmeshed cars moving just after the collision? (b) How fast was car A going just before the collision?

Solution

Solution 38E Step 1 of 3: The momentum is conserved during the collision. Since the motions involved are in two dimensions, we must consider the components separately.consider the coordinates x and y where +x is east and +y is south. The system of two cars before and after the collision is shown in diagram . Neglect friction from the road during the collision. The enmeshed cars have a total mass of 2000 kg+1500 kg=3500 kg There are no external forces during the collision , so conservation of momenta are p1x p 2x and p1y= p 2y

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full solution

Title University Physics 13 
Author Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
ISBN 9780321675460

Accident Analysis. Two cars collide at an intersection.

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