Question

two grocery carts have the same initial total momentum. the two carts collide, and now cart b has a greater final velocity. which best describes the final total momentum of both the carts compared to the initial total momentum? it is less if cart b has a smaller mass. it is greater if cart b has a greater mass. it is the same if no external forces are added. it depends on the masses of cart a and cart b.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the law of conservation of momentum

The law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a closed - system remains constant if no external forces act on it. In the case of the two - grocery - carts collision, if there are no external forces (such as friction from outside the two - cart system, or pushing forces from an external source), the total initial momentum $p_{i}$ and the total final momentum $p_{f}$ are related by $p_{i}=p_{f}$.

Step2: Analyze the given options

The mass of cart B or the comparison of the masses of cart A and cart B do not change the fact that momentum is conserved in the absence of external forces. The only factor that affects the conservation of momentum between the initial and final states of the two - cart system is the presence or absence of external forces.

Answer:

It is the same if no external forces are added.