Question

two carts collide and bounce apart. cart 1 had a momentum of -6 kg·m/s before the collision. cart 2 had a momentum of 10 kg·m/s before the collision. what is the total momentum of the carts after the collision? -16 kg·m/s -10 kg·m/s 4 kg·m/s 10 kg·m/s

Explanation:

Step1: Recall law of conservation of momentum

The total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after a collision in an isolated - system.

Step2: Calculate total initial momentum

The total initial momentum $p_{total - initial}=p_1 + p_2$, where $p_1=-6\ kg\cdot m/s$ and $p_2 = 10\ kg\cdot m/s$. So $p_{total - initial}=-6 + 10=4\ kg\cdot m/s$.

Step3: Determine total final momentum

Since $p_{total - initial}=p_{total - final}$, the total momentum after the collision is $4\ kg\cdot m/s$.

Answer:

$4\ kg\cdot m/s$