a). the momentum of cart B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (circle one) b). the force on cart

Question

a). the momentum of cart B

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (circle one)

b). the force on cart A

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (circle one)

c). the total momentum of the system

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (circle one)

d.) the kinetic energy of cart B

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (circle one)

e.) the total kinetic energy of the system

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ( circle one)

Two identical carts labeled A and B are initially resting on an air track. The coordinate system for describing the system is shown. The cart on the right, cart B is given a push to the left and is released. The clock is then started. At t = 0, cart B moves in the direction shown with a speed v0. They hit and stick to each other. The graphs below describe some of the variables associated with the motion as a function of time. For the experiment described and for each item in the list below, identify which graph is a possible display of that variable as a function of time assuming a proper scale. "The system" refers to carts A and B together.

Explanation / Answer

A) #3 because the initial momentum is negative and after collision shared with cart A
B) #8 because it is to the left (negative) and avts only during the short time of the collision
C) #9 -- it has to be constant and negative
D) #4 -- we already saw cart B cut its speed in half hence its energy (~ v²) is cut in quarter.
E) #2 or #9 -- Since cart A finally has the same KE as cart B, the total KE is cut in half
of B's initial energy. On the scale of graph 4 the total KE should then go from 1 to ½.
So if we don't care about the scale, #2 is possible; if we do, the answer is #9.

Hope this helps :)

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.