Question

Elastic collision of two carts continues in its original direction at 1.44 m/s. What is the mass of the second cart? Tries 2/10 Previous Tries What is its (second cart) speed after the impact? 4.72 m/s What is the speed of the two-cart center of mass after the impact?

Answer 1

In an elastic collision, the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. By using this principle, we can find the mass of the second cart by setting up an equation and solving for it.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an elastic collision, the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. We can use this principle to solve the problem. Let's denote the mass of the first cart as m1 and the mass of the second cart as m2. The initial velocity of the first cart is given as 1.44 m/s, and the second cart is initially at rest. After the collision, the carts stick together and move at a speed of 1.44 m/s in the original direction.

To find the mass of the second cart, we can set up the equation:

m1 * v1_initial + m2 * v2_initial = (m1 + m2) * v_final

Substituting the given values, we get:

(m1 * 1.44) + (m2 * 0) = (m1 + m2) * 1.44

Simplifying the equation, we find:

1.44m1 = 1.44(m1 + m2)

Dividing both sides by 1.44, we get:

m1 = m1 + m2

Subtracting m1 from both sides, we find:

m2 = 0

Therefore, the mass of the second cart is 0.