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In this problem we will consider the collision of two cars initially moving at right angles. We assume that after the collision the cars stick together and travel off as a single unit. The collision is therefore completely inelastic. The two cars shown in the figure, of masses m1 and m2, collide at an intersection. Before the collision, car 1 was traveling eastward at a speed of v1, and car 2 was traveling northward at a speed of v2. (Figure 1)After the collision, the two cars stick together and travel off in the direction shown. First, find the magnitude of v, that is, the speed v of the two-car unit after the collision. Express v in terms of m1, m2, and the cars' initial speeds v1 and v2. Part A m1v1+m2v2m1+m2 m1v1-m2v2m1+m2 sqrt((m1v1)^2+(m2v2)^2)/(m1+m2) sqrt(v1^2+v2^2). Find the tangent of the angle theta. Express your answer in terms of the magnitudes of the initial momenta of the two cars, p1 and p2, or the quantities given in the problem introduction. Suppose that after the collision, tan theta=1; in other words, theta is 45 degrees. Which quantities then must have been equal before the collision? The magnitudes of the momenta of the cars The masses of the cars The speeds of the cars

          In this problem we will consider the collision of two cars initially moving at right angles. We assume that after the collision the cars stick together and travel off as a single unit. The collision is therefore completely inelastic. The two cars shown in the figure, of masses m1 and m2, collide at an intersection. Before the collision, car 1 was traveling eastward at a speed of v1, and car 2 was traveling northward at a speed of v2. (Figure 1)After the collision, the two cars stick together and travel off in the direction shown. First, find the magnitude of v, that is, the speed v of the two-car unit after the collision.
Express v in terms of m1, m2, and the cars' initial speeds v1 and v2.
Part A
m1v1+m2v2m1+m2
m1v1-m2v2m1+m2
sqrt((m1v1)^2+(m2v2)^2)/(m1+m2)
sqrt(v1^2+v2^2). Find the tangent of the angle theta.
Express your answer in terms of the magnitudes of the initial momenta of the two cars, p1 and p2, or the quantities given in the problem introduction. Suppose that after the collision, tan theta=1; in other words, theta is 45 degrees. Which quantities then must have been equal before the collision?
The magnitudes of the momenta of the cars
The masses of the cars
The speeds of the cars

Added by Eli R.

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