A frictionless horizontal track holds two carts that can move only along the x-axis
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A frictionless horizontal track holds two carts that can move only along the x-axis. Cart 1 has mass m1=0.80kg and initial velocity v1i=+3.0ms−1. Cart 2 has mass m2=1.2kg and initial velocity v2i=−2.0ms−1 (opposite the +x direction). The carts collide and stick together, moving thereafter as a single unit.
(a) Calculate the velocity of the center of mass of the two-cart system just before the collision.
(b) Determine the velocity of the center of mass immediately after the collision.
(c) Based on your results, state whether the CM velocity changed during the collision and briefly explain why or why not in terms of forces acting on the system.