How to Compare Forces Recorded by Force Sensors on Carts
If you had used the force sensors on both carts, how would the forces recorded by the red and blue carts compare when the mass of the blue cart is 500 g, and that of the red cart is 250 g? The red cart strikes the stationary blue cart, and the carts stick together due to the Velcro.
a) The force on the red cart is greater. b) The force on the blue cart is greater. c) The forces are equal. d) The forces cannot be determined.
Answer:
The forces recorded by the red and blue carts would be equal and opposite due to Newton's Third Law of Motion.
Explanation: When the red cart strikes the stationary blue cart and they stick together due to Velcro, according to Newton's Third Law of Motion, the forces recorded by the force sensors on both the red and blue carts would be equal and opposite. This law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, if a force sensor was used on each cart, they would record forces that are the same in magnitude but opposite in direction.