Mass of the object, m1 = 1 kg
Velocity of the object before collision, v1 = 10 m/s
Mass of the stationary wooden block, m2 = 5 kg
Velocity of the wooden block before collision, v2 = 0 m/s
∴ Total momentum before collision = m1 v1 + m2 v2
= 1 (10) + 5 (0) = 10 kg m s- 1
It is given that after collision, the object and the wooden block stick together.
Total mass of the combined system = m1 + m2
Velocity of the combined object = v
According to the law of conservation of momentum:
Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision
m1 v1+ m2 v2 = (m1+ m2) v
v = 10 / 6 = 5 / 3 m/s
The total momentum after collision = 10 and velocity of combined object is 5/3 m/s.
