Understanding Momentum and Collisions in Physics

What happens when two trolleys of different masses collide?

Calculate the velocity of trolley B after collision based on the given data.

Calculation of Trolley B's Velocity After Collision

Based on the conservation of momentum principle, we can determine the velocity of trolley B after the collision.

When two trolleys of different masses collide, the concept of conservation of momentum comes into play. In this scenario, trolley A with a mass of 3 kg and a velocity of 8 m/s is followed by trolley B with a mass of 4 kg and a velocity of 9 m/s. After the collision, trolley A continues to move in the same direction but now at a velocity of 9 m/s.

To calculate the velocity of trolley B after the collision, we can use the conservation of momentum equation which states that the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.

Using the given data, we have:

(3 kg) (8 m/s) + (4 kg) (9 m/s) = (3 kg) (9 m/s) + (4 kg) v

24 kg•m/s + 36 kg•m/s = 27 kg•m/s + (4 kg) v

33 kg•m/s = (4 kg) v

v = 8.25 m/s

Therefore, the velocity of trolley B after the collision is 8.25 m/s.