Question
Two objects, A and B, have equal mass. Prior to the collision, mass A is moving 10 m/s in the +x-direction, and mass B is moving 4 m/s in the +x-direction. Which of the following results represents an inelastic collision between A and B?
  1. After the collision, mass A is at rest, and mass B moves 14 m/s in the +x-direction.
  2. After the collision, mass A moves 4 m/s in the –x-direction, and mass B moves 18 m/s in the +x-direction.
  3. After the collision, the two masses stick together and move 7 m/s in the +x-direction.
  4. After the collision, mass A moves 4 m/s in the +x-direction, and mass B moves 10 m/s in the +x-direction.
Question by OpenStax is licensed under CC BY 4.0
Final Answer

(c)

Solution video

OpenStax College Physics for AP® Courses, Chapter 8, Problem 29 (Test Prep for AP® Courses)

OpenStax College Physics, Chapter 8, Problem 29 (AP) video thumbnail

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Video Transcript
This is College Physics Answers with Shaun Dychko. When objects stick together, that collision is considered an inelastic collision. So the answer here is C and all we need to look at is just the fact that they stick together.