A tractor of mass 5000kg is used to tow a car of mass 2500kg. The tractor moves with a speed of 3m/s just before the tow rope becomes tight. Calculate the speed of the tractor immediately the rope becomes tight?

VTPETERS2002

5 years ago

Given:
M1 = 5000kg, Vi = 3m/s.
M2 = 2500kg, V2 = 0 before taut.
V3 = Velocity of M1 after taut(tight).

Momentum before taut = Momentum after taut.
M1*V1 = (M1+M2)V3.
5000 * 3 = 7500*V3,
V3 = 2 m/s.

Note: The car is not a part of the system until the rope becomes taut(tight).