Which graph best represents the momentum of both carts over time, before and after the collision?
Answer
A
Image with description A graph showing Time (s) on the horizontal axis and P (k g m/s) on the vertical axis. The horizontal axis is located at the middle of the vertical axis. A solid line representing the 2 m cart begins as a horizontal line above the horizontal axis. A second solid line representing the m cart begins as a horizontal line below the horizontal axis. At a point labeled Collision, the line for the 2 m cart moves downward to a value below the horizontal axis, while the line for the m cart moves upward to a value above the horizontal axis. Both lines continue as horizontal lines after this point.
B
Image with description A graph showing Time (s) on the horizontal axis and P (k g m/s) on the vertical axis. The horizontal axis is located at the middle of the vertical axis. A solid line representing the m cart begins as a horizontal line above the horizontal axis. A second solid line representing the 2 m cart begins as a horizontal line below the horizontal axis. At a point labeled Collision, both lines curve toward each other and meet at a single value below the horizontal axis. From the collision point onward, a dashed line representing the Combined carts continues as a horizontal line at that same value.
C
Image with description A graph showing Time (s) on the horizontal axis and P (k g m/s) on the vertical axis. The horizontal axis is located at the middle of the vertical axis. A solid line representing the 2 m cart begins as a horizontal line above the horizontal axis. A second solid line representing the m cart begins as a horizontal line below the horizontal axis. At a point labeled Collision, both lines curve toward each other and meet at a single value above the horizontal axis. From the collision point onward, a dashed line representing the Combined carts continues as a horizontal line at that same value.
D
Image with description A graph showing Time (s) on the horizontal axis and P (k g m/s) on the vertical axis. The horizontal axis is located at the middle of the vertical axis. A solid line representing the 2 m cart begins as a horizontal line above the horizontal axis. A second solid line representing the m cart begins as a horizontal line below the horizontal axis. At a point labeled Collision, both lines curve toward each other and meet at a single value on the horizontal axis. From the collision point onward, a dashed line representing the Combined carts continues as a horizontal line along the horizontal axis.