Question

Two identical carts are free to move along a straight frictionless track. At time t1, cart X is moving at 2.0 m/s when it collides with and sticks to cart Y, which is initially at rest. Draw the graphs that best shows the velocity of cart X before and after the collision?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Using the law of conservation of momentum;

`m_1 u_1+m_2u_2 = m_1v_1+m_2v_2`

here;

There is a need for conservation of the total momentum that occurred before and after the collision.

So;

`m_1` = mass of cart X

`m_2` = mas 9f cart Y

`u_1` = velocity of cart X (before collision)

`u_2` = velocity of cart Y (before collision)

`v_1` = velocity of cart X (after collision)

`v_2` = velocity of cart Y (after collision)

So;

`m(u_1+0) =(m_1v+m_2)v`

because the mass is identical and v represents the velocity of both carts.

Now;

`u_1` = 2 m/s

`u_2` = 0 ( at rest)

∴

m(2) = (2m)v

v = 1 m/s

Thus, we can see from the graphical image attached below that the velocity of X reduces to 1 m/s after collision with cart Y.