Question

7. Two carts are sitting on a frictionless track with a compressed spring between them. The sum of the masses of carts A and B is 1.5 kg. After the spring releases, Cart B has twice the speed of Cart A. What is the mass of each cart?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Let mass of cart be m₁ and m₂

m₁ + m₂ = 1.5 kg

At the time of release , their momentum will be conserved

m₁ v ₁ = m₂ v₂

m₁ v ₁ = (1.5 - m₁ ) x 2 v₁

m₁ = 3 - 2m₁

3m₁ = 3

m₁ = 1 kg

m₂ = .5 kg