Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Trolley A () moves at towards trolley B (). Velcro makes them stick.
With no outside force, the total momentum of a group of objects stays the same: . Give opposite directions opposite signs. Things that start at rest end with equal and opposite momenta.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. (a) , so .
Step 2. (b) , so .
Step 3. (c) (a) before, after. (b) before, after.
Answer: ; ; momentum is kept, but kinetic energy is lost when they stick.
Log in to join the discussion.
Loading…