Why do we add the masses together after that inelastic collision?

An inelastic collision is one in which the internal kinetic energy changes (it is not conserved). A collision in which the objects stick together is sometimes called perfectly inelastic because it reduces internal kinetic energy more than does any other type of inelastic collision.People sometimes think that objects must stick together in an inelastic collision. However, objects only stick together during a perfectly inelastic collision. Objects may also bounce off each other or explode apart, and the collision is still considered inelastic as long as kinetic energy is not conserved.

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Explanation:

two charges are fixed in place on the x-axis as shown. the charge at x = 0 is negative and has magnitude q = 2 μcoulombs (1 μcoulomb = 10-6 coulombs). the charge at x = d, (d = +12 cm), is positive and has magnitude q = 4 μcoulombs. find a point x = xo along the x-axis at which the electric field is zero.

their crystal patterns have been disrupted by stress