Question

Maya and Alejandro are getting ready to play ball on a cart with frictionless wheels. The cart is at rest. The total mass of Maya, Alejandro, and the cart combined is 145 kg. At precisely the same time, they each throw a ball to the other. Maya throws a 0.60 kg ball at 1.5 m/s leftward towards Alejandro. Simultaneously, Alejandro throws a 1.2 kg ball at 5.0 m/s towards the right to Maya. (These velocities and directions are as observed and measured by Karina who is standing stationary on the ground next to them, while trying not to get hit by any flying balls.)

a. While both balls are in the air, Karina measures the speed and direction of the cart and riders. What are her results?

b. Karina again measures the velocity (speed and direction) of the cart and riders after they have caught the balls. Now what does Karina measure?

Answer 1