Final answer:
The total momentum of the system before and after the collision is 0 kg m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total momentum of a system before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision, according to the law of conservation of momentum. In this case, we have two carts, each with a mass of 2 kg, moving in opposite directions with a speed of 1 m/s.
The momentum of the first cart before the collision is given by:
Momentum = mass * velocity = 2 kg * 1 m/s = 2 kg m/s
The momentum of the second cart before the collision is also 2 kg m/s, but in the opposite direction.
Therefore, the total momentum of the system before the collision is the sum of the individual momenta:
Total momentum before collision = 2 kg m/s + (-2 kg m/s) = 0 kg m/s
After the collision, the two carts stick together and move as one. Since the system is now at rest, the total momentum is also 0 kg m/s. Therefore, the total momentum of the system before and after the collision is 0 kg m/s.