Arailroad car with a mass of 30,000 kg is moving at 2.0 m/s when it runs into an at-rest freight car with an equal mass. the cars lock together. what is their final velocity?

The total momentum of the system is preserved through the collision.

Note that momentum is
P = m*v
where m = mass
v = velocity.

Initial momentum:
P1 = (30000 kg)*(2 m/s) = 60000 (kg-m)/s for the moving car
P2 = 0 for the starionary car.

Final momentum:
P3 = (30000 + 30000)*v = 60000v (kg-m)/s

Because momentum is preserved,
P3 = P1 + P2
60000v = 60000
v = 1 m/s
The final velocity is 1 m/s.

1.0 m/s

The objects do not reach terminal velocity         there is not enough time from the time the object falls from when it hits the ground to achieve terminal velocity. an object must be placed higher to achieve terminal velocity in order to be in free fall.