‘n Motor met ‘n massa van 1 120 kg, wat teen ‘n snelheid van 25 m·s⁻¹ na regs beweeg, bots met die aagterkant van ‘n konstruksievoertuig wat met sakke sement gelei is teen ‘n snelheid van 6,25 m·s⁻¹ in dieselfde rigting beweeg - NSC Technical Sciences - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1

Die totale lineêre momentum van ‘n geisoleerde sisteem bly konstant (behoue) in grootte en rigting. This means that the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.

Wanneer twee ekstreme krag op die sisteem inwerk, kan dit die totale momentum van die sisteem beïnvloed. As die kragte ongebalanseerd is, kan dit lei tot 'n verandering in die momentum van die sisteem, wat kan lei tot 'n versnelling.

Using the principle of conservation of momentum:

$ext{Initial momentum} = ext{Final momentum}$

We apply:

$m_1v_1 + m_2v_2 = m_1v'_1 + m_2v'_2$

Where:

• $m_1 = 1 120 ext{ kg}$ (mass of the motor)
• $v_1 = 25 ext{ m·s}^{-1}$ (initial velocity of the motor)
• $v_2 = 6.25 ext{ m·s}^{-1}$ (initial velocity of construction vehicle)
• $v'_1 = 7.45 ext{ m·s}^{-1}$ (final velocity of the motor)
• $v'_2 = 8.45 ext{ m·s}^{-1}$ (final velocity of construction vehicle)

Substituting the values, we can find the mass of the construction vehicle.

To determine whether the collision is elastic or inelastic, we must check whether kinetic energy is conserved.

1. Calculate initial and final kinetic energies:

   • Initial kinetic energy: KE_{ ext{initial}} = rac{1}{2} m_1 v_1^2 + rac{1}{2} m_2 v_2^2
   • Final kinetic energy: KE_{ ext{final}} = rac{1}{2} m_1 v'_1^2 + rac{1}{2} m_2 v'_2^2

2. If $KE_{ ext{initial}} = KE_{ ext{final}}$, the collision is elastic; otherwise, it is inelastic.