What is the velocity (in m/s) of a 915 kg car initially moving at 26.5 m/s, just after it hits a 125 kg deer initially running at 11.5 m/s in the same direction

Explanation:

Car mass Mc=915kg

Initial velocity of car Uc=26.5m/s

Hit a deer of mass Md=125kg

Initial velocity of deer Ud=11.5m/s

We are going to assume that it is inelastic collision i.e after impact the deer was on the car.

Let the common final velocity be V

Using conservation of linear momentum

Momentum before Collision = momentum after the collision

Mc×Ud+Md×Ud = (Mc+Md)V

915×26.5+125×11.5=(915+125)V

24,247.5+1437.5=1040V

25,685=1040V

V=25,685/1040

V=24.7m/s

The common velocity of the car and the deer is

V=24.7m/s