Question

4. A trolley of mass 2kg rests next to a trolley of mass 3 kg on a flat

Answer 1

Answer:

a. The total momentum of the trolleys which are at rest before the separation is zero

b. The total momentum of the trolleys after separation is zero

c. The momentum of the 2 kg trolley after separation is 12 kg·m/s

d. The momentum of the 3 kg trolley is -12 kg·m/s

e. The velocity of the 3 kg trolley = -4 m/s

Explanation:

a. The total momentum of the trolleys which are at rest before the separation is zero

b. By the principle of the conservation of linear momentum, the total momentum of the trolleys after separation = The total momentum of the trolleys before separation = 0

c. The momentum of the 2 kg trolley after separation = Mass × Velocity = 2 kg × 6 m/s = 12 kg·m/s

d. Given that the total momentum of the trolleys after separation is zero, the momentum of the 3 kg trolley is equal and opposite to the momentum of the 2 kg trolley = -12 kg·m/s

e. The momentum of the 3 kg trolley = Mass of the 3 kg Trolley × Velocity of the 3 kg trolley

∴ The momentum of the 3 kg trolley = 3 kg × Velocity of the 3 kg trolley = -12 kg·m/s

The velocity of the 3 kg trolley = -12 kg·m/s/(3 kg) = -4 m/s