Elastic Cart Collision of a stationary and a moving cart

In summary, Cart 1 has a mass of 420.9 kg and a final speed of 0.922 m/s after a collision with Cart 2, which has a mass of 336 kg and an initial speed of 1.81 m/s. Conservation of momentum and energy were used to solve for these values.
  • #1
Potato21
10
0
I'm having some trouble with some homework and I'm hoping someone can help me.

PROBLEM:
#6. Cart1, with mass m, is initially at rest and is struck by cart2,
which has a mass of 336 kg and initial speed of 1.81 m/s. The collision
is elastic and after the collision cart2 continues to move in its
original direction at 0.807 m/s. Find m, the mass of cart1.
#7.Find the speed of cart1 after the collision.

ATTEMPT AT SOLUTION:

I have calculated that

m1v1+m2v2=m1v1'+m2v2'
m1(0)+336kg(1.81m/s)=m1v1'+336kg(0.807m/s)
m1v1'=336kg(1.81-0.807)
m1v1'=337 kg*m/s

I'm stuck here. I tried calculating the amount of energy the second
cart should have

1/2m2(v2-v2')^2=
0.5(336)(1.81-0.807)^2=169J

and then that

169J=0.5m1(v1)^2 so that

m1=169*2/v1^2

and subbing that into

m1v1'=337 kg*m/s

(169*2/v1'^2)*v1'=337 kg*m/s

338/v1'=337

thus v1' =338/337

This however does not answer #7 and when working backwards to find the
mass it also provides the wrong answer.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.
Potato21EDIT: Oops, dumb mistake, I got it!
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
To find the mass of Cart 1, we can rearrange our equation as follows:m1v1'= 336kg(1.81-0.807)m1 = (336kg(1.81-0.807))/(v1')Since v1' = 0.807m/s,m1 = (336kg(1.81-0.807))/(0.807m/s)m1 = 420.9kgTo find the speed of Cart 1 after the collision, we can use conservation of momentum:m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1' + m2v2'm1*0 + 336kg*1.81m/s = m1*v1' + 336kg*0.807m/sm1*v1' = 336kg*(1.81-0.807)m/sv1' = (336kg*(1.81-0.807m/s))/m1v1' = (336kg*(1.81-0.807m/s))/420.9kgv1' = 0.922m/s
 

1. What is elastic cart collision?

Elastic cart collision is a type of collision between two carts that conserves both momentum and kinetic energy. In this type of collision, there is no loss of energy and the carts bounce off each other with the same speed and direction as before the collision.

2. How does the collision of a stationary and a moving cart differ from two moving carts?

In the collision of a stationary and a moving cart, the stationary cart remains at rest while the moving cart transfers all of its energy to the stationary cart, causing it to move with the same speed and direction as the original moving cart. In contrast, in the collision of two moving carts, both carts exchange some of their energy and change directions.

3. What factors influence the outcome of an elastic cart collision?

The outcome of an elastic cart collision is influenced by factors such as the mass and velocity of the carts, the angle of collision, and the coefficient of restitution (a measure of how bouncy the carts are). These factors determine the amount of kinetic energy that is transferred between the carts during the collision.

4. What is the difference between elastic and inelastic cart collisions?

The main difference between elastic and inelastic cart collisions is that inelastic collisions do not conserve kinetic energy. In these types of collisions, some of the energy is lost in the form of heat or sound. This results in a slower final speed for the carts compared to elastic collisions.

5. How is the momentum of the carts affected by an elastic cart collision?

In an elastic cart collision, the total momentum of the carts before and after the collision remains the same. This is known as the law of conservation of momentum. However, the individual momentums of the carts may change, depending on their masses and velocities.

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