Question

The spaceship uss Enterprise of mass 4.5 x 10⁹ kg travelling with a velocity of 250 m/s is in a head on collision with a Klingon spaceship of mass 2.24 x 10⁹ kg travelling at 120 m/s in the opposite direction. The collision results in the coupling of the two ships to form a wreckage. Calculate the common velocity of the wreckage immediately after the collision. 

Answer 1

$$m_Ev_E-m_Kv_K=(m_E+m_K)V\\ (4.5\cdot10^9)(250)-(2.24\cdot10^9)(120)\\=(4.5\cdot10^9+2.24\cdot10^9)V\\V=127\frac{m}{s}$$