Question

C4. A 50.0 kg boy runs at 10.0 m/s, jumps on a cart and rolls off at 2.50 m/s. What is the mass of the cart

Answer 1

The mass of the cart is 150 kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

Mass of a boy, m₁ = 50 kg

Initial speed of boy, u₁ = 10 m/s

Initial speed of car, u₂ = 0 (at rest)

The speed of the cart with the boy on it is 2.50 m/s, V = 2.5 m/s

Let m₂ is the mass of the cart. Using the conservation of momentum as follows :

`m_1u_1+m_2u_2=(m_1+m_2)V\\\\50(10)+m_2(0)=(50+m_2)(2.5)\\\\500=125+2.5m_2\\\\375=2.5m_2\\\\m_2=150\ kg`

So, the mass of the cart is 150 kg.