PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
Two dynamics carts move along a straight, horizontal track. Cart X has mass 0.40kg and travels to the right at 1.20m⋅s−1. Cart Y has mass 0.60kg and is initially at rest. When the carts collide, the Velcro pads on their faces cause them to stick together.
(a) Determine the speed of the combined carts immediately after the collision and state its direction.
(b) Calculate the total kinetic energy of the system both before and after the collision.
(c) Find the fraction of the original kinetic energy that is lost in the collision and briefly describe what forms of energy could account for this loss.