A 10.00 kg mass is moving to the right with a velocity of 14.0 m/s. A 12.0 kg mass is moving to the left with a velocity of 8.00 m/s. Assuming that these two balls have a head on collision and stick together, what will be the final velocity of the combination?

2 m/s

Explanation:

From the conservation of momentum, the initial momentum of the system must be equal to the final momentum of the system.

Let the 10.00 kg mass be and the 12.0 kg mass be . When they collide and stick, they have a combined mass of .

Momentum is given by . Set up the following equation:

, where is the desired final velocity of the masses.

Call the right direction positive. To indicate the 12.0 kg object is travelling left, its velocity should be substitute as -8.00 m/s.

Solving yields: