A small car weighing 3,221 lbs is traveling due north when it collides with a pi
ID: 776679 • Letter: A
Question
A small car weighing 3,221 lbs is traveling due north when it collides with a pick-up truck weighing 12,213 which was traveling due east. After the collision the two vehicles move off together at an angle of 28 degrees north of east. It was determined from skid marks that the velocity of the combined system was 31 mph just after the collision. What was the actual velocity of the truck? A small car weighing 3,221 lbs is traveling due north when it collides with a pick-up truck weighing 12,213 which was traveling due east. After the collision the two vehicles move off together at an angle of 28 degrees north of east. It was determined from skid marks that the velocity of the combined system was 31 mph just after the collision. What was the actual velocity of the truck?Explanation / Answer
vf = 31 mph
Applying momentum conservation for the collision,
m1 v1j + m2 v2i = (m1 + m2) vf (cos28i + sin28 j)
(3221 v1)j + (12213 v2) = (3221 + 12213)(31)(cos28i + sin28j)
along i direction,
12213 v2 = 15434 x 31 x cos28
v2 = 34.6 mph .......Ans