Discussion:
Combined kinetic energy of the two-car system during collision
Q: When cars are equipped with flexible bumpers, they will bounce off each other during low-speed collisions, thus causing less damage. In one such accident, a 1850 kg car traveling to the right at 1.40 m/s collides with a 1450 kg car going to the left at 1.10 m/s. Measurements show that the heavier car's speed just after the collision was 0.270 m/s in its original direction. You can ignore any road friction during the collision.
a) What was the speed of the lighter car just after the collision?
b) Calculate the change in the combined kinetic energy of the two-car system during this collision.