Understanding Momentum and Cart Movement

What is the momentum of Cart A and Cart B?

a) Cart A and B have the same momentum.

b) Cart A has more momentum than Cart B.

c) Cart B has more momentum than Cart A.

d) The momenta of Cart A and Cart B cannot be compared.

Answer:

Using the formula p = mv for momentum, we find that both Cart A and Cart B have equal momentum of 10 kg*m/s, hence option a) is correct.

The subject of the question pertains to momentum, which is calculated with the formula p = mv, where p is the momentum, m is the mass, and v is the velocity. Let's calculate the momentum for each cart. For Cart A, the momentum (pA) is calculated by multiplying its mass (5 kg) by its velocity (2 m/s), giving us pA = 5 kg * 2 m/s = 10 kg*m/s. For Cart B, we use the same formula with its given mass (2 kg) and velocity (5 m/s). This gives us pB = 2 kg * 5 m/s = 10 kg*m/s. Therefore, we can see that both Cart A and Cart B have the same momentum. So, the correct answer is a) Cart A and B have the same momentum.

It is essential to understand the concept of momentum in physics as it plays a crucial role in the behavior of moving objects. Momentum is directly proportional to both mass and velocity, meaning that an object with a higher mass or speed will have a larger momentum. In the case of Cart A and Cart B, although they have different masses and velocities, their momenta turn out to be equal due to the combination of these factors.

By mastering the concept of momentum and its calculation, you can analyze and predict the motion of objects accurately. It is a fundamental principle in physics that helps us understand the behavior of objects in motion and the interactions between them.