Question

A 500g cart moving to the right at 2 m/s collides with another 300g cart that was initially at rest. After the collision, the 500g cart moves to the left at 1 m/s. Calculate the momentum before and after the collision.

Answer 1

The momentum before the collision is 1 kg m/s and the momentum after the collision is -0.8 kg m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the momentum before and after the collision, we can use the formula:

Momentum = mass x velocity

Before the collision:

Initial momentum of the 500g cart: P1 = (0.5 kg) x (2 m/s) = 1 kg m/s

Initial momentum of the 300g cart: P2 = (0.3 kg) x (0 m/s) = 0 kg m/s

Total initial momentum: P1 + P2 = 1 kg m/s

After the collision:

Final momentum of the combined carts: P' = (0.5 kg + 0.3 kg) x (-1 m/s) = -0.8 kg m/s

The change in momentum can be calculated by subtracting the initial momentum from the final momentum:

Change in momentum = P' - (P1 + P2) = -0.8 kg m/s - 1 kg m/s = -1.8 kg m/s

Therefore, the momentum before the collision is 1 kg m/s and the momentum after the collision is -0.8 kg m/s.