Two fun-loving otters are sliding toward each other on a muddy (and hence frictionless) horizontal surface. One of them, of mass 8.00 kg , is sliding to the left at 5.50 m/s , while the other, of mass 5.65 kg , is slipping to the right at 5.50 m/s . They hold fast to each other after they collide. Part A Find the magnitude of the velocity of these free-spirited otters right after they collide.

Explanation:

Applying the law of collision:

Sum of momentum before collision = sum of momentum after collision

Both object move with the same velocity after collision

Momentum = mass × velocity

Sum of momentum before collision;

= 5.65(5.4)+(8)(-5.5)

= 30.51-44

= -13.49kgm/s

Sum of momentum after collision

= (8.0+5.65)v

= 13.65v

Equate;

-13.49 = 13.65v

v = -13.49/13.65

v = -0.988m/s

Hence the velocity of the otter after collision is 0.988m/s ( both moving towards the left)