Conservation of Momentum - Two Body Stick Together Collision

This problem involves the collision of two masses which stick together. Find related material here.

The names of the masses are mass 1, or m₁, and mass 2, or m₂.

Before the collision:

• Both masses are in motion, moving in positive directions. (See note below.)
• Mass 1 is behind mass 2.
• Their velocities before the collision are v₁ and v₂.
• The velocity of mass 1 is greater than the velocity of mass 2. So, mass 1 will eventually catch up to mass 2.

Before

After the collision:

• The masses stick together and move off to the right as one object. Therefore both masses are traveling at the same velocity after the collision. This mutual velocity is called v'.

After

What is the mutual velocity of both masses after the collision, that is, what is v'?

Invent reasonable values for m₁, m₂ , v₁, and v₂. Try solving the problem yourself. Then check your answer by plugging your initial values into the respective input boxes below and clicking the 'Calculate' button. The value for the final mutual velocity will appear.

Note:

Often an introductory problem similar to this one will have mass 2 standing still before the collision. This solver can be used for that situation, also. Just enter 0 for the velocity of mass 1.