(a.i) The velocity of the entangled cars after the collision is 8.53 m/s.
(a.ii) The loss in kinetic energy of the situation described is 179,201.7 J.
(b) The final velocity of the heavier car if the smaller car moved backwards is 11.85 m/s forward.
The final velocity of the cars after the collision is calculated by applying the principle of conservation of linear momentum as shown below.
m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁ + m₂)
where;
820(25.6) + 1640(0) = v(820 + 1640)
20,992 + 0 = 2460v
v = 20,992 / 2460
v = 8.53 m/s
The lost in kinetic energy of the situation described is calculated as follows;
ΔK.E = K.Ei - K.Ef
K.Ei = ¹/₂m₁u₁² + ¹/₂m₂u₂²
K.Ei = ¹/₂(820)(25.6)² + ¹/₂(1640)(0)²
K.Ei = 268,697.6 J
K.Ef = ¹/₂(m₁ + m₂)v²
K.Ef = ¹/₂(1640 + 820)(8.53)²
K.Ef = 89,495.91 J
ΔK.E = K.Ei - K.Ef
ΔK.E = 268,697.6 J - 89,495.91 J
ΔK.E = 179,201.7 J
The final velocity of the heavier car if the smaller car moved backwards is calculated as;
m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂
where;
m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂
820(25.6) + 1640(0) = (820)(-1.9) + 1640(v₂)
20,992 = 1558 + 1640v₂
1640v₂ = 19,434
v₂ = 19,434 / 1640
v₂ = 11.85 m/s
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