Question

Cart 1 has a mass of 1 kg. Cart 2 has a mass of 2 kg. They are pushed apart by a spring. The spring exerts 2N of force into cart 1. How much force is exerted into cart 2? Explain.

Answer 1

The force exerted on the cart 2 during the collision is 2 N.

The given parameters:

• Mass of cart 1 = m1 = 1 kg
• Mass of cart 2 = m2 = 2kg
• Force applied on cart 1 = 2 N

According to Newton's third law of motion, action and reaction are equal and opposite. The force exerted on cart 1 is equal in magnitude to the force exerted on cart 2 but in opposite direction.

$F_1 = -F_2$

$F_2 = -F_1\\\\F_2 = -2 \ N\\\\|F_2| = 2 \ N$

Thus, the force exerted on the cart 2 during the collision is 2 N.

Learn more about Newton's third law of motion here: brainly.com/question/13874955