Two vehicles approach a right angle intersection and then suddenly collide. after the collision, they become entangled. if their mass ratios were 1: 4 and their respective speeds as they approached the intersection were both 13 m/s, find the magnitude and direction of the final velocity of the wreck. a. 11 m/s at 76° with respect to the original direction of the lighter car. b. 16 m/s at 76° with respect to the original direction of the lighter car. c. 16 m/s at 14° with respect to the original direction of the lighter car. d. 11 m/s at 14° with respect to the original direction of the lighter car. e. 26 m/s at 76° with respect to the original direction of the lighter car.

a. 11 m/s at 76° with respect to the original direction of the lighter car.

Explanation:

In this exercise, since both cars make a right angle, let's assume that the lighter car only has a horizontal velocity component (vx) and that the heavier one only has a vertical velocity component (vy). The final velocities for both components for the system can be determined as:

Assume that the lighter car has a 1kg mass and that the heavier car has a 4 kg mass.

The magnitude of the final velocity of the wreck can be found as:

The final velocity has an intensity of roughly 11 m/s

As for the angle, it can be determined in respect to the lighter car (x axis) as follows:

Therefore, the wreck has a velocity with an intensity of 11 m/s at 76° with respect to the original direction of the lighter car.