Answer:
The final velocity of cart 1 is 3m/s
Explanation:
From principle of conservation of linear momentum, which states that sum of the momentum before collision is equal to the sum of the momentum after collision.
Momentum, P is given as mass x velocity.
ΔP = Δmv = m₁u₁ +m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂
Assumptions:
- If the two carts are moving on frictionless track, then limiting frictional forces due to their weights are negligible.
- After the elastic collision, the two carts will move separately with different velocity
u₁ + u₂ = v₁ + v₂;
where;
u₁ and u₂ are the initial velocity for cart 1 and cart 2 respectively
v₁ and v₂ are the final velocity for cart 1 and cart 2 respectively
1 m/s + 5 m/s = v₁ + 3m/s
6 m/s = v₁ + 3m/s
v₁ = 6 m/s - 3m/s = 3m/s
Therefore, the final velocity of cart 1 is 3m/s
