Now that we know the velocity of the cart before the collision is 1.80m/s, let’s use this to determine the linear momentum and kinetic energy of the disk-cart system before the collision. The mass of the cart is 23.5kg. The mass of the disk is 11.4kg. Using this mass information and the velocity calculated, determine the horizontal component of momentum of the disk-cart system during this interval.

Linear momentum = 42.3 kg·m/s

Kinetic Energy = 38.07 J

Explanation:

We should know that before the collision occured, the momentum and KE of the disk are zero

Thus, the system momentum is given as;

p = mv

p = 23.5kg x 1.80m/s = 42.3 kg·m/s

Now for the system Kinetic Energy. It's given as;

KE = ½ mv²

KE = ½ x 23.5 kg x (1.80m/s)² = 38.07 J

After the collision, we'll discover that the momentum remains the same (mass increases but velocity decreases) and that some Kinetic energy(KE) has been lost.