Answer:
Cart A
Explanation:
Momentum can be computed by finding the product of mass and velocity. To solve this, you can use the formula below to find the greatest momentum:
p = mv
where:
p = momentum (kgm/s) m = mass (kg) v = velocity (m/s)
Because carts are moving along with the weights, we need to consider the whole system. This means that you need to add in the masses and the mass of the cart.
<u>Cart A:</u>
m = 200kg + 0 kg = 200 kg
v = 4.8 m/s
p = 200kg x 4.8 m/s = 960 kg-m/s
<u>Cart B:</u>
m = 200kg + 20 kg = 220 kg
v = 4.0 m/s
p = 220kg x 4.0 m/s = 880 kg-m/s
<u>Cart C:</u>
m = 200kg + 40 kg = 240 kg
v = 3.8 m/s
p = 240kg x 3.8 m/s = 912 kg-m/s
<u>Cart D:</u>
m = 200kg + 60 kg = 260 kg
v = 3.5 m/s
p = 260kg x 3.5 m/s = 910 kg-m/s
As you can see, Cart A has the greatest momentum.
Newton's first law of motion states that an object that is resting (not moving) will stay motionless unless an external force acts on it and an object in motion will stay in motion unless an outside force acts on it. This law is known as newton's law of inertia.
