A railway car of mass m1 travelling at a velocity of v1 collides with a second car of mass m2 travelling at v2 and the two join together. What is their final velocity?

Momentum is conserved in any collision, and for a single body is given by p = mv. The momentum before is m1v1+m2v2, and the momentum after is (m1 + m2)u where u is the final velocity, so the final velocity is (m1v + m2*v2)/(m1 + m2).

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Define the terms "acceleration" and "displacement". Explain simple harmonic motion with reference to both of these quantities.


Derive the escape velocity from the surface of a planet with radius, r, and mass, M.


What is the difference between distance and displacement?


Explain the wave - particle duality


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences