Serway & Jewett — Linear Momentum and Collisions: Problem 18

(a) Three carts of masses \(m_1 = 4.00 \text{ kg}\), \(m_2 = 10.0 \text{ kg}\), and \(m_3 = 3.00 \text{ kg}\) move on a frictionless, horizontal track with speeds of \(v_1 = 5.00 \text{ m/s}\) to the right, \(v_2 = 3.00 \text{ m/s}\) to the right, and \(v_3 = 4.00 \text{ m/s}\) to the left as shown in Figure P9.18. Velcro couplers make the carts stick together after colliding. Find the final velocity of the train of three carts. (b) What If? Does your answer in part (a) require that all the carts collide and stick together at the same moment? What if they collide in a different order?