Question

A cart traveling at 0.3 m/s collides with stationary object. After the collision, the cart rebounds in the opposite direction. The same cart again traveling at 0.3 m/s collides with a different stationary object. This time the cart is at rest after the collision. In which collision is the impulse on the cart greater?

• A. The impulses are the same.
• B. The second collision.
• C. The first collision.
• D. Cannot be determined without knowing the mass of the cart.
• E. Cannot be determined without knowing the rebound speed of the first collision.

 

Answer 1

A cart traveling at 0.3 m/s collides with a stationary object.

After the collision, the cart rebounds in the opposite direction.

The impulse in the first collision is I = Δp

                                            = m v - ( mu )

                                            = 2 m u

cart again collides with a different stationary object with a speed of 0.3 m/s.

The impulse in the second collision is I = mu

so the answer is option C

In the first collision, the impulse is greater.