Question

Write a hypothesis about the effect of increasing the total mass of the carts on the final velocity after an inelastic collision. Use the "if . . . then . . . because . . ." format and be sure to answer the lesson question: "How does changing mass affect colliding objects?"

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

In an inelastic collision, the two objects stick on each other and move with a common velocity.

If m₁ and m₂ are the mass of two objects. They are moving with initial velocities u₁ and u₂. Let V be the final velocity of both objects.

Using conservation of momentum as :

`m_1u_1+m_2u_2=(m_1+m_2)V`

`V=(m_1u_1+m_2u_2)/(m_1+m_2)`

If the mass of the colliding objects increases then the velocity decreases because there is an inverse relationship between the mass and the velocity.

Answer 2

The hypothesis about the effect of increasing the total mass of the carts on the final velocity after an inelastic collision will be as follows;

"If the total mass of two colliding carts is increased then the final velocity of the carts drops, because mass and velocity define momentum and momentum is preserved during an inelastic collision".