Chapter 3.2, Problem 1aT

Three students discuss the final momentum and kinetic energy of each cart.

Student 1: "Since the same force is exerted on both carts, the cart with the smaller mass will move quickly, while the cart with the larger mass will move slowly. The momentum of each cart is equal to its mass times its velocity."

Student 2: "This must mean that the speed compensates for the mass anti the two carts have equal final momenta."

Student 3: "l was thinking about the kinetic energies. Since the velocity is squared to get the kinetic energy but mass isn’t, the cart with the bigger speed must have mare kinetic energy.”

In the space below, write down whether you agree or disagree with the statements made by each student.