In a closed system, two carts have a compressed spring between them. One of the carts has a total mass, including its contents, of 2.0 kg, and the other has total mass of 1.0 kg. Which cart experiences the momentum change of greater magnitude after the spring is released to push them apart?

The 1.0 kg cart has the greatest change in momentum.

The 2.0 kg cart has the greatest change in momentum.

Each has a momentum change of the same nonzero magnitude.

Each has zero momentum change.

Question

In a closed system, two carts have a compressed spring between them. One of the carts has a total mass, including its contents, of 2.0 kg, and the other has total mass of 1.0 kg. Which cart experiences the momentum change of greater magnitude after the spring is released to push them apart?

The 1.0 kg cart has the greatest change in momentum.

The 2.0 kg cart has the greatest change in momentum.

Each has a momentum change of the same nonzero magnitude.

Each has zero momentum change.

anonymous · Answer

Conservation of momentum: Whatever one of the carts gains in momentum in one direction, the other must gain in the other direction to maintain their original momentum of 0. Your answer is:

C. Each has a momentum change of the same nonzero magnitude.