An electric locomotive with a mass of 150 tons, moving at a speed of 0.6 m / s, collides with
An electric locomotive with a mass of 150 tons, moving at a speed of 0.6 m / s, collides with a stationary car with a mass of 50 tons, after which they move together. Determine the speed of their joint movement.
me = 150 t = 150,000 kg.
Ve = 0.6 m / s.
mw = 50 t = 50,000 kg.
Vv = 0 m / s.
V -?
If we neglect the force of resistance to movement, then the system of the electric locomotive car can be considered closed. For a closed system, the momentum conservation law is valid.
me * Ve + mw * Vw = (me + mw) * V.
Since before the collision the car was at rest Vw = 0 m / s, then the law of conservation of momentum takes the form: me * Ve = (me + mw) * V.
V = me * Ve / (me + mv).
V = 150,000 kg * 0.6 m / s / (150,000 kg + 50,000 kg) = 0.45 m / s.
Answer: after a collision, an electric locomotive with a carriage will move at a speed of V = 0.45 m / s.