Chapter 6, Problem 14MCQ

14 Two battery-powered fan carts are resting on a frictionless horizontal track. The mass of cart A is twice the mass of cart B. The carts are released so they start moving to the right. Which answer and explanation correctly compare toe linear momentum of the carts after traveling the same distance? Assume that the force exerted by the air on the carts is the same for both carts and remains constant while the carts are moving.

a. $P\text{A}=P\text{B}$ because the sums of the forces exerted on the carts are equal.

b. $P\text{A}=P\text{B}$ because the distances traveled are equal.

c. $P\text{A>}P\text{B}$ because the air exerts a force on cart A for a longer time interval than on cart B.

d. $P\text{A>}P\text{B}$ because the heavier cart A pushes back on the air with a larger force than does cart B.

e. $P\text{A}<P\text{B}$ because the final velocity of can B is larger than the final velocity of cart A.

f. $P\text{A}<P\text{B}$ because can B has a larger acceleration than does can A.