AP Physics C: Mechanics
4.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum
4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse
A cart of mass \(m\) travels with speed \(v_0\) along a horizontal, frictionless track toward a stationary cart of mass \(2m\). The collision is tested under two different experimental conditions: in Setup 1, the collision is perfectly elastic, and in Setup 2, the carts latch together in a completely inelastic collision. The initial kinetic energy of the system before each collision is \(K_0\). Which row in the table correctly compares the magnitude of the impulse \(J_{\text{target}}\) delivered to the cart of mass \(2m\), the total final kinetic energy \(K_f\) of the system in Setup 2, and the post-collision center-of-mass speed \(v_{\text{cm}}\) of the system?
| Row | Impulse on Target Cart | Final Kinetic Energy in Setup 2 | Post-Collision Center-of-Mass Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | \(J_1 = J_2\) | \(K_f = \dfrac{1}{3} K_0\) | \(v_{\text{cm},1} = v_{\text{cm},2}\) |
| B | \(J_1 = 2J_2\) | \(K_f = \dfrac{2}{3} K_0\) | \(v_{\text{cm},1} = v_{\text{cm},2}\) |
| C | \(J_1 = 2J_2\) | \(K_f = \dfrac{1}{3} K_0\) | \(v_{\text{cm},1} = v_{\text{cm},2}\) |
| D | \(J_1 = \dfrac{1}{2}J_2\) | \(K_f = \dfrac{1}{3} K_0\) | \(v_{\text{cm},1} > v_{\text{cm},2}\) |
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