If a car weighing 1,054kg collides with another car and then takes 60 metres to come to rest can the speed at the pint of impact be calculated?
Yes, the speed at the point of impact can be calculated using the formula for kinetic energy.
To calculate the speed, we need to determine the initial kinetic energy of the car before the collision and equate it to the final kinetic energy when the car comes to rest.
The formula for kinetic energy (KE) is KE = 1/2 * m * v^2, where m is the mass of the car and v is the velocity.
Let's break down the steps to find the velocity:
Step 1: Convert the mass of the car from kilograms to grams.
Mass = 1,054 kg × 1000 g/kg = 1,054,000 g
Step 2: Determine the initial kinetic energy before the collision.
Using the formula KE = 1/2 * m * v^2, we have KE_initial = 1/2 * 1,054,000 g * v_initial^2
Step 3: Calculate the final kinetic energy when the car comes to rest.
Since the car comes to rest, its final velocity is 0. Therefore, KE_final = 1/2 * 1,054,000 g * 0^2 = 0
Step 4: Equate the initial and final kinetic energies.
Setting KE_initial equal to KE_final, we have 1/2 * 1,054,000 g * v_initial^2 = 0
Step 5: Solve for v_initial.
Simplifying the equation, we have v_initial^2 = 0 (since 0 multiplied by 1,054,000 g is still 0)
Therefore, v_initial = 0
Hence, it can be calculated that the speed at the point of impact is 0.