How Does a Spring Affect Cart Velocity After Collision?

[louise82]

If two carts collide and cart 1 has a spring on it, how can I figure out the final velocity of the first cart?

 

[Doc Al]

What's conserved?

 

[louise82]

kinetic energy and momentum

 

[louise82]

what's throwing me off is the spring...

the carts are initially at rest together, then the spring on cart 1 is released.

 

[Doc Al]

the carts are initially at rest together, then the spring on cart 1 is released.

I thought you said they collided?

kinetic energy and momentum

Momentum, yes. Kinetic energy, no. (They start at rest, then begin to move.) Hint: Consider the energy stored in the compressed spring.