Cart A of mass and cart B of mass are initially at rest on a frictionless track
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Linear Momentum · Linear Momentum
Problem
Cart A of mass m and cart B of mass 2m are initially at rest on a frictionless track. The same constant horizontal force acts on each cart for the same time interval Δt. Which statement describes the magnitudes of the impulses each cart receives?
(a) Cart B receives twice the impulse received by cart A.
(b) The impulses cannot be compared without knowing each cart’s acceleration.
(c) Both carts receive the same impulse because the force and the time interval are identical.
(d) Cart A receives twice the impulse received by cart B.