Question

A 1-kg clay block collides with 3-kg clay block at a 90° angle with each other. After the collision, they become a 4-kg lump of clay. Assuming that each had an initial speed of 11 m/s prior to the collision, and ignoring friction with the surface they are traveling on, what is the magnitude and direction of the final velocity vector for the 4-kg lump of clay?

Answer 1

given :

m1 = 1kg

m2 = 3 kg

u1 = velocity of m1 say along +ve x-axis = 11 m/s.

u2 = velocity of m2 say along +ve y-axis = 11 m/s.

v = velocity of combined body = ?

assume that they collide at origin.

initial momentum of m1 =

initial momentum of m2 =

final momentum of system =

from conservation of linear momentum of system :

the magnitude of velocity v = [answer]

let this velocity vector makes an angle with +ve x-axis.

with +ve x-axis in counter clockwise sense. [answer]