A 64 kg man traveling at 5.4 km/h jumps onto a 32 kg cart traveling toward him at 1.8 km/h. Find velocity (km/h) of man-plus-cart afterward, taking the man’s original direction positive.
Physics · Mixed Chapter
JEE Main Practice

Question

A 64 kg man traveling at 5.4 km/h jumps onto a 32 kg cart traveling toward him at 1.8 km/h. Find velocity (km/h) of man-plus-cart afterward, taking the man’s original direction positive.

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Conserve horizontal momentum during the inelastic jump. Step 2: Initial signed momentum=64(5.4)+32(−1.8)=345.6−57.6=288 kg·km/h. Step 3: Final mass=64+32=96 kg. Step 4: Common velocity=288/96=3 km/h in the man’s original direction.