On a frictionless horizontal table, two blocks A and B each ...

Question

On a frictionless horizontal table, two blocks A and B each have a mass of . Block B is stationary at the edge of the table, which has a height . Block A moves with an initial speed and collides inelastically with B, causing both blocks to stick together and move horizontally off the table. The two blocks land at a horizontal distance of from the edge of the table. What is the initial speed of block A before the collision? (Take g=10 m/s²)

To solve the problem, we determine the initial speed of block A using the concepts of conservation of momentum and kinematic equations.

Find the horizontal velocity of the blocks after the collision

The horizontal distance traveled by the blocks after leaving the table is related to their horizontal velocity and the time of free fall.

The time of free fall is determined by the height of the table using the vertical motion equation:

Substitute and :

Next, the horizontal distance traveled by the blocks is given by:

Substitute and :

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