THE PRACTICE STUDIO
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PRACTICE / Impulse
How much does a triangular force pulse change velocity?
A 0.5 kg cart moves right at 2 m/s on a horizontal rail. A rightward net force rises linearly from zero at t = 0 to 6 N at t = 0.2 s, then falls linearly to zero at t = 0.4 s.
What is the cart’s velocity immediately after the pulse?
Organize the givens & assumptions
- Mass: 0.5 kg
- Initial velocity: +2 m/s
- Force pulse: triangle, base 0.4 s, height 6 N
The specified force is the net horizontal force. Mass is constant. Use right as positive.
- A
- B
- C
- D
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