In-class question

A constant force is exerted for a short time interval on a cart that is initially at rest on an air track. This force gives the cart a certain final speed.

Suppose we repeat the experiment but, instead of starting from rest, the cart is already moving with constant speed in the direction of the force at the moment we begin to apply the force. After we exert the same constant force for the same short time interval, the increase in the cart’s speed

BLUE: = two times its initial speed.

YELLOW: = the square of its initial speed.

PINK: = four times its initial speed.

PURPLE: = same as when it started from rest.

GREEN: cannot be determined from the information provided.




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