Which graph best represents the momentum of both carts over time, before and after the collision?
Answer
A
Image with description A graph with momentum on the y axis measured in kilogram meters per second and time on the x axis measured in seconds. There are no values on the axes. There are two curves on the graph the first starts above the x axis and is horizontal before curving downward toward the x axis labeled 2 m cart. The second curve starts below the axis, a smaller distance below as the first one was above, and is horizontal before curving upward toward and crosses the x axis and is labeled m cart. Where they meet is labeled Collision. Both curves meet above the axis at the same time and both go horizontal above the x axis for a time period labeled Combined carts.
B
Image with description A graph with momentum on the y axis measured in kilogram meters per second and time on the x axis measured in seconds. There are no values on the axes. There are two curves on the graph. The first starts above the x axis and is horizontal before curving downward to the x axis labeled 2 m cart. The second curve starts below the axis, the same distance below as the first one was above, and is horizontal before curving upward toward the x axis at the same time and labeled m cart. Where they meet is labeled Collision. Both curves meet at the x axis at the same time and are both on the x axis for a time period labeled Combined carts.
C
Image with description A graph with momentum on the y axis measured in kilogram meters per second and time on the x axis measured in seconds. There are no values on the axes. There are two curves on the graph the first starts above the x axis and is horizontal before curving downward toward the x axis labeled 2 m cart. The second curve starts below the axis, a smaller distance below as the first one was above, and is horizontal before curving upward toward and crosses the x axis and is labeled m cart. Where they meet is labeled Collision. Both curves meet above the axis at the same time and both go horizontal above the x axis for a time period labeled Combined carts.
D
Image with description A graph with momentum on the y axis measured in kilogram meters per second and time on the x axis measured in seconds. There are no values on the axes. There are two curves on the graph. The first starts above the x axis and is horizontal before curving downward to the x axis labeled 2 m cart. The second curve starts below the axis, the same distance below as the first one was above, and is horizontal before curving upward toward the x axis at the same time and labeled m cart. Where they meet is labeled Collision. Both curves meet at the x axis at the same time and are both on the x axis for a time period labeled Combined carts.