Question

1. in a physics experiment, two carts of mass 2 kg each are rolled towards each other. the orange cart has a velocity of 5 m/s and the blue cart has a velocity of 6 m/s. the carts bounced when they collide. what formula will you use to calculate their final speed of the carts that are bounced together?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the concept

This is a collision problem. In an in - elastic collision where the two carts stick together, we use the law of conservation of momentum.

Step2: State the formula

The formula for conservation of momentum is $m_1v_1 + m_2v_2=(m_1 + m_2)v_f$, where $m_1$ and $m_2$ are the masses of the two objects, $v_1$ and $v_2$ are their initial velocities, and $v_f$ is their final velocity when they move together.

Answer:

$m_1v_1 + m_2v_2=(m_1 + m_2)v_f$