Two railroad cars, each of mass 6500 kg and traveling 80 km/h in opposite directions, collide head-on and come to rest. how much thermal energy is produced in this collision?

Question

Physics

Cheyanne Yoder

4 July, 23:00

Two railroad cars, each of mass 6500 kg and traveling 80 km/h in opposite directions, collide head-on and come to rest. how much thermal energy is produced in this collision?

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Answers (1)

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Kierra Mcconnell · Answer 1

This problem can be assume that the two railroad cars are moving toward each other, and not in opposite direction, because of the condition of an head collision.

Given: Mass of Car₁ = 6,500 Kg; Mass of Car₂ = 6,500 Kg

Velocity of each Car V = 80 Km/h or 22.22 m/s

Required: Thermal energy or Total Kinetic energy

Formula: K. E = 1/2 MV²

Solution: Total Kinetic energy or Tke = (1/2 MV²) car₁ + (1/2 MV²) car₂

Tke = 1/2 (6,500 Kg) (22.22 m/s) ² + 1/2 (6,500 Kg) (22.22 m/s) ²

Total Thermal energy or Tke = 3,209 Joules