Analysis
1. Fit a function to the graph of x vs. t for Cart 1. What is x(t)?
2. Fit a function to the graph of vx vs. t for Cart 1. What is vx(t)?
3. What is the initial velocity of Cart 1? What is the acceleration of Cart 1?
4. Fit a function to the graph of x vs. t for Cart 2. What is x(t)?
5. What is the velocity of Cart 2?
6. What is the acceleration of Cart 2?
7. Do Newton’s laws explain the motion of each cart? Sketch free-body diagrams for each cart and explain
your answer.
8. Is the “ground” (i.e. the video camera) an inertial reference frame?
9. At what time (i.e. clock reading) does Cart 1 pass Cart 2? Answer this question algebraically.
10. Now measure the clock reading on the video when Cart 1 passes Cart 2. Compare your measured value
with the calculated result.