Understanding Conservation of Momentum
The total momentum of a system remains constant in the absence of external forces. In simpler terms:
* Momentum before collision = Momentum after collision
Calculations
1. Momentum before collision:
* Momentum of clay blob = mass * velocity = 8 kg * 2 m/s = 16 kg m/s
* Momentum of the resting block = 0 (since it's at rest)
* Total momentum before = 16 kg m/s + 0 = 16 kg m/s
2. Momentum after collision:
* Let the final velocity of the combined blob and block be 'v'.
* Total mass after collision = 8 kg + 4 kg = 12 kg
* Total momentum after collision = (12 kg) * v
3. Applying conservation of momentum:
* 16 kg m/s = (12 kg) * v
4. Solving for 'v':
* v = (16 kg m/s) / (12 kg) = 1.33 m/s
Answer:
The speed of the two blobs stuck together immediately after the collision is 1.33 meters per second.
