In a lab, two identical lab carts open paren m is equal to 1 point 0 kilograms close paren travel toward each other, each with a speed of 2 meters per second The cars collide, and one cart moves to the right with a speed of 3 meters per second and the other moves left with a speed of 2 meters per second What best explains the results of the experiment?
Answer
A
This proves the conservation of momentum since p sub i is equal to p sub f .
B
The increase in speed was due to the kinetic energy from one cart transferring to the other.
C
An additional mass was added to one cart, which explains the increase in speed.
D
This experiment did not occur in a closed system.
Explanation
Take right as positive. Initially, the carts’ momenta cancel: (1.0 kg)(2 m/s) + (1.0 kg)(−2 m/s) = 0. After the collision, the total momentum is (1.0 kg)(3 m/s) + (1.0 kg)(−2 m/s) = 1.0 kg·m/s to the right. Since momentum changed, an external force or impulse must have acted, so the experiment did not occur in a closed system.
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