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Two carts with masses of 4.0 kg and 3.0kg move toward each other on a frictionless track with speed

1 Answer

4 votes
Momentum = mass * velocity

Cart 1:
mass = 4.0 kg
velocity = 5.0 m/s
momentum = 20

Cart 2:
mass = 3.0 kg
velocity = -4.0 m/s (opposite direction)
momenum = -12

Cart 1 and 2:
mass = 7.0 kg
velocity = ??

20 - 12 = 7v
8 = 7v
v = 8/7
v = 1 1/7 m/s

So your answer should be:
1 1/7 m/s in the direction of the heavier
User Orafaelreis
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