The Momentum of Two Moving Carts

What is the total momentum of the system of the two carts at a certain instant before they collide?

What was the velocity of the first cart when the second cart was still at rest?

Total Momentum of the System

The total momentum of the system of the two carts at the instant before they collide is 7.5 kg m/s.

Velocity of First Cart

The velocity of the first cart when the second cart was still at rest was 3.26 m/s.

Based on the data provided, we can calculate the total momentum of the system of the two carts using the formula:

P = m1v1 + m2v2

Substituting the masses and velocities of the carts into the formula:

P = (2.3)(4.5) + (1.5)(-1.9)

P = 7.5 kg m/s

Since there is no external force on the system, the total momentum is conserved. Therefore, the speed of the first cart when the second cart was at rest can be calculated using the formula:

P = m1v1 + 0

7.5 = 2.3v

v = 3.26 m/s

Thus, the total momentum of the system of the two carts at the instant before they collide is 7.5 kg m/s, and the velocity of the first cart when the second cart was still at rest was 3.26 m/s.