Problem 8-75 Inelastic collision

Two trucks have a completely inelastic collision. After the collision, they have a common velocity of 11m/s at 35 south of west. Before the collision, one truck (mass2.3×104kg) has a velocity of 15m/s at 51 south of west. Determine the initial velocity (magnitude and direction) of the other truck (mass1.2×104kg).


A "completely inelastic collision" means:

(A)   The objects bounce off each other and energy is conserved.

(B)   The objects join together and proceed as one object with combined mass and loss of energy.