A 0.5 kg cart and 2.0 kg cart are attached and are rolling forward with a speed of 2 m/s. Suddenly a spring-loaded plunger pops out and blows the two carts apart from each other. The smaller cart shots backward at 2 m/s. What are the speed and direction of the larger cart? • Draw a sketch of the system showing the before and after state • Establish a coordinate system and define symbols • Determine if any forces exert impulses on the system • Determine if the system’s momentum is conserved • List knowns and desired unknowns • Start with an expression for conservation of momentum or the momentum principle using the symbols defined in your sketch • Substitute in the known values, including units • Solve equation(s) for the desired unknown • Check units and assess if your answer is reasonable
A 0.5 kg cart and 2.0 kg cart are attached and are rolling forward with a speed of 2 m/s. Suddenly a spring-loaded plunger pops out and blows the two carts apart from each other. The smaller cart shots backward at 2 m/s. What are the speed and direction of the larger cart?
• Draw a sketch of the system showing the before and after state • Establish a coordinate system and define symbols • Determine if any forces exert impulses on the system • Determine if the system’s momentum is conserved • List knowns and desired unknowns
• Start with an expression for conservation of momentum or the momentum principle using the symbols defined in your sketch • Substitute in the known values, including units • Solve equation(s) for the desired unknown • Check units and assess if your answer is reasonable
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