Question

The diagram below shows a blue cart chasing a yellow cart on a friction less track. The velocities and masses of the carts are given in the diagram. When the blue cart catches up with the yellow cart. The carts stick together and move as one.
What is the momentum of the two-cart system after the collision?

• A. 3.0 (kg) (m)/s
• B. 4.0 (kg) (m)/s
• C. 5.0 (kg) (m)/s
• D. 8.0 (kg) (m)/s
• E. We do not have enough information to determine the momentum of the two-cart system after the collision

Answer 1

The correct option is D 8.0 (kg) (m)/s

Total momentum of the system before collision $P_i=1\times 3+5\times 1=8.0$ kg m/s

According to conservation of linear momentum, the total momentum of the system after the collision is equal to the total momentum of the system before collision.

Thus final momentum of system $P_f=P_i=8.0$ kg m/s