How to Calculate Velocity of Moving Cart Using Conservation of Momentum

What is the key principle used to calculate the velocity of moving carts in a collision?

The key principle used to calculate the velocity of moving carts in a collision is the conservation of linear momentum.

Explanation:

When two carts collide, the total momentum of the system remains constant before and after the collision. This means that the momentum of one cart transferred to the other cart without any external force affecting the system.

To calculate the final velocity of each cart after the collision, we can use the formula:

Total initial momentum = Total final momentum

When two carts collide, the conservation of linear momentum principle is essential to determine the velocities of the carts involved. This principle states that the total momentum of an isolated system remains constant before and after a collision, provided there are no external forces acting on the system.

By applying this principle, we can calculate the velocity of each cart at any given instant during a collision. This calculation involves setting the total initial momentum of the system equal to the total final momentum after the collision.

Understanding and applying the conservation of linear momentum principle can help us analyze and solve various physics problems involving collisions and moving objects. It provides a systematic approach to determining velocities and predicting the outcomes of interactions between objects in motion.