Meriam, Kraige & Bolton — Kinetics of Systems of Particles: Problem 4_17

4/17 The 300-kg and 400-kg mine cars are rolling in opposite directions along the horizontal track with the respective speeds of 0.6 m/s and 0.3 m/s. Upon impact the cars become coupled together. Just prior to impact, a 100-kg boulder leaves the delivery chute with a velocity of 1.2 m/s in the direction shown and lands in the 300-kg car. Calculate the velocity v of the system after the boulder has come to rest relative to the car. Would the final velocity be the same if the cars were coupled before the boulder dropped?