Two identical carts are free to move along a straight frictionless track. At time t1, cart X is moving at 2.0 m/s when it collides with and sticks to cart Y, which is initially at rest. Draw the graphs that best shows the velocity of cart X before and after the collision?

Explanation:

Using the law of conservation of momentum;

here;

There is a need for conservation of the total momentum that occurred before and after the collision.

So;

= mass of cart X

= mas 9f cart Y

= velocity of cart X (before collision)

= velocity of cart Y (before collision)

= velocity of cart X (after collision)

= velocity of cart Y (after collision)

So;

because the mass is identical and v represents the velocity of both carts.

Now;

= 2 m/s

= 0 ( at rest)

∴

m(2) = (2m)v

v = 1 m/s

Thus, we can see from the graphical image attached below that the velocity of X reduces to 1 m/s after collision with cart Y.