A block of mass m=9.0 kg and speed V and is behind a block of mass M= 27 kg and speed of .50 m/s. The surface is frictionless, and the blocks suddenly collide and couple. After the collision, the blocks have a common speed of .90 m/s. what was the speed v the lighter block before the collision'

2.06 m/s

Explanation:

From the law of conservation of linear momentum, the sum of momentum before and after collision are equal. Considering this case where we have frictionless surface, no momentum is lost in the process.

Momentum before collision

Momentum is given by p=mv where m and v represent mass. The initial sum of momentum will be 9v+(27*0.5)=9v+13.5

Momentum after collision

The momentum after collision will be given by (9+27)*0.9=32.4

Relating the two then 9v+13.5=32.4

9v=18.5

V=2.055555555555555555555555555555555555555 m/s

Rounded off, v is approximately 2.06 m/s

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