To find the value of s, we can use the principle of conservation of momentum. The total momentum before the encounter should be equal to the total momentum after the encounter.
The total initial momentum is given by: P_initial = M1 v1 + M2 v2
Where M1 = 160 kg, v1 = 0 (initial velocity is 0), M2 = 80 kg, and v2 = s
The total final momentum is given by: P_final = (M1 + M2) * v_final
Where v_final is the final velocity of the combined masses after the encounter.
Since momentum is conserved, we can equate the initial momentum to the final momentum: M1 v1 + M2 v2 = (M1 + M2) v_final 160 0 + 80 s = (160 + 80) v_final 80s = 240v_final s = 3v_final
Now, we need to find the final combined velocity after the encounter. We can use the conservation of kinetic energy to determine the final velocity:
Therefore, the final velocity of the combined masses after the encounter is 0 m/s, which means that s = 3v_final = 3 * 0 = 0 m. So the distance s over which the two masses slide is 0 meters.
To find the value of s, we can use the principle of conservation of momentum. The total momentum before the encounter should be equal to the total momentum after the encounter.
The total initial momentum is given by:
P_initial = M1 v1 + M2 v2
Where M1 = 160 kg, v1 = 0 (initial velocity is 0), M2 = 80 kg, and v2 = s
The total final momentum is given by:
P_final = (M1 + M2) * v_final
Where v_final is the final velocity of the combined masses after the encounter.
Since momentum is conserved, we can equate the initial momentum to the final momentum:
M1 v1 + M2 v2 = (M1 + M2) v_final
160 0 + 80 s = (160 + 80) v_final
80s = 240v_final
s = 3v_final
Now, we need to find the final combined velocity after the encounter. We can use the conservation of kinetic energy to determine the final velocity:
Initial kinetic energy = Final kinetic energy
(1/2) M1 v1^2 + (1/2) M2 v2^2 = (1/2) (M1 + M2) v_final^2
0 + (1/2) 80 s^2 = (1/2) 240 v_final^2
40s^2 = 120v_final^2
Now we can substitute s = 3v_final into this equation:
40(3v_final)^2 = 120v_final^2
360v_final^2 = 120v_final^2
240v_final^2 = 0
v_final = 0 m/s
Therefore, the final velocity of the combined masses after the encounter is 0 m/s, which means that s = 3v_final = 3 * 0 = 0 m. So the distance s over which the two masses slide is 0 meters.