Answer:
The speed of the completed train is 0.0[tex]\bar 6[/tex] m/s
The direction of the completed train is South
Explanation:
The given parameters are;
The mass of the locomotive, m₁ = 125,000 kg
The initial speed of the locomotive, v₁ = 1.0 m/s
The mass of the gondola cars, m₂ = 1,750,000 kg
The initial sped of the gondola cars, v₂ = 0
Let v₃ represents the speed of the completed train. From the principle of conservation of linear momentum, we have;
m₁·v₁ + m₂·v₂ = (m₁ + m₂)×v₃
Substituting the known values, gives;
125,000 × 1.0 + 1,750,000 × 0 = (125,000 + 1,750,000) × v₃
∴ v₃ = (125,000 × 1.0 + 1,750,000 × 0)/(125,000 + 1,750,000) = 1/15 = 0.0[tex]\bar 6[/tex]
v₃ = 0.0[tex]\bar 6[/tex] m/s
The speed of the completed train = 0.0[tex]\bar 6[/tex] m/s
The direction of the completed train = The direction of the locomotive = South.
