Question

this double bar graph reflects data from a colliding carts experiment similar to what we performed in class. what can you conclude from the graph? average forces during cart collisions 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 moving cart stationary cart average force (n) collision a collision b cart type collision bs system included a moving cart with greater mass. collision as system included a moving cart with greater mass. collision bs system included a stationary cart with greater mass. collision as system included a moving cart with greater speed.

Explanation:

According to Newton's third - law, in a collision, the forces on the two carts are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The greater the average force in a collision, the greater the change in momentum. Assuming similar collision times and initial conditions for simplicity, a greater force implies a greater mass or velocity change. Since the forces in Collision B are greater than in Collision A for both moving and stationary carts, and assuming similar velocities and collision times, it is likely that the moving cart in Collision B has a greater mass as force is related to mass and acceleration (F = ma).

Answer:

Collision B's system included a moving cart with greater mass.