Two hockey pucks, labeled a and b, are initially at rest on a smooth ice surface and are separated by a distance of 26.0 m . simultaneously, each puck is given a quick push, and they begin to slide directly toward each other. puck a moves with a speed of 2.30 m/s , and puck b moves with a speed of 3.90 m/s .
your answer should satisfy common sense. for instance, can you decide which of the following values for the distance covered by puck a would definitely be wrong, regardless of the speed of the two pucks and considering that the two pucks are sliding toward each other?
(a) 5 m
(b) 33 m
(c) 27 m
(d) 1 m
(e) 21 m

B) 33 m C) 27 m

Explanation:

considering that the two pucks are sliding toward each other we can understand that they are on a collision course.

Since the total distance between them is 26 m, the common sense dictates that the distance traveled by each puck must be less than 26 m regardless of the speed of the two pucks.

so the options B) 33 m and C) 27 m are definitely wrong since they are greater than 26 m.

We can also easily find the distance traveled by each pucks also.

let and be the velocity of the pucks A and B respectively

close lines strong magnet less close weaker

the chart show the masses and velocities of two colliding objects that stick together after a collision.

according to the law of conservation of momentum, the momentum of the object after the collision is  

answer

1,500

kg • m/s.