A truck with mass 1200kg is moving at 8m/s when it collides head-on with a stationary car of mass 800kg. As they collide, the vehicles move together with the same velocity, v. Calculate this velocity.

Momentum is conserved. MU + mu = (M+m)v   (1200 x 8) + (800 x 0) = (1200 + 800)v 9600 = 2000v v = 9600/2000 = 4.8m/s

RH
Answered by Rachel H. Physics tutor

7608 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How to we work out the speed of an object at a certain point in its trajectory?


A supertanker of mass 4.0 × 10^8 kg, cruising at an initial speed of 4.5 m s^(–1), takes one hour to come to rest. Assume the force slowing down the tanker is constant.


Explain Rutherford's alpha particle scattering experiment and what it provided evidence for


What is an inertial frame of reference?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning