Two carts mounted on an air track are moving toward one another. Cart 1 has a sp

Question

Two carts mounted on an air track are moving toward one another. Cart 1 has a speed of 1.2 m/s and a mass of 0.40 kg. Cart 2 has a mass of 0.64 kg.

(a) If the total momentum of the system is to be zero, what is the initial speed of Cart 2?
m/s

(b) Does it follow that the kinetic energy of the system is also zero since the momentum of the system is zero?

YesNo    

(c) Determine the system's kinetic energy in order to substantiate your answer to part (b).

When answering question please be clear, will rate, thank you.

Explanation / Answer

a)Initial momentum = 0
=>1.2*0.4 = -0.64*V
=>V = -0.75 m/s

b)No.

Since K.E. = 0.5mv^2 and we are squaring the velocity term. So It is always positive for both the cars and sum of two positive numbers is never equal to zero.

c)K.E. = (0.5*0.4*(1.2^2))+(0.5*0.64*((-0.75)^2)) = 0.468 J

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

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