Collisions and conservation of momentum

AI Thread Summary
In an elastic collision involving a 370 g cart moving at 1.7 m/s and a stationary cart, the first cart continues at 0.42 m/s after the collision. The mass of the second cart is calculated to be 223.3 g, and its speed after impact is determined to be 2.12 m/s. A participant seeks assistance with calculating the speed of the two-cart center of mass. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the definition of center of mass in solving the problem. Additional resources are suggested for further learning on the topic.
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A cart with mass 370 g moving on a frictionless linear air track at an initial speed of 1.7 m/s undergoes an elastic collision with an initially stationary cart of unknown mass. After the collision, the first cart continues in its original direction at 0.42 m/s.
(a) What is the mass of the second cart?
223.3 g
(b) What is its speed after impact?
2.12 m/s
(c) What is the speed of the two-cart center of mass?
?? m/s

Cant get part c?
Any help is appreciated
 
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How is the center of mass defined?

ehild
 


That is all the information given
 


You have to know the definitions of terms in a problem. What have you learned about center of mass?

Read this: http://online.physics.uiuc.edu/courses/phys211/spring10/Text/ch10.pdf

ehild
 
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