Answer:
24.99 m/s
Explanation:
From the question,
The kinetic energy of the automobile before the impact = Energy stored in bumper after impact.
1/2mv² = 1/2ke²............................ Equation 1
Where m = mass of the automobile, v = speed of the car before impact, k = spring constant of the bumper, e = compression of the bumper after impact.
make v the subject of the equation
v = √(ke²/m)............................. Equation 2
Given: k = 6.49×10⁶ N/m, e = 4.62 cm = 0.0462 m, m = 480 kg.
Substitute into equation 2
v = √(0.0462×6.49×10⁶/480)
v = √(624.6625)
v = 24.99 m/s.
Hence the speed of the car before impact = 24.99 m/s