Fig. 1.1 depicts two trolleys. A wooden rod is attached to the front of trolley A, while trolley B is initially stationary.
When trolley A moves to the right, the rod goes into the modelling clay. Trolley A slows down and trolley B begins to move.
The two trolleys then stay stuck together and keep travelling to the right.
Fig. 1.1 labels: trolley A, trolley B, wooden rod, modelling clay.
Fig. 1.2 presents the speed-time graph for the two trolleys. The vertical axis shows speed in m/s and the horizontal axis shows time $t$/s. The lines are labelled trolley A, trolley B, and trolley A and B.
The trolleys begin to collide at time $t = 0.30\,\text{s}$. At $t = 0.50\,\text{s}$, both trolleys are moving at the same speed.
(a(i))[1]
State how Fig. 1.2 indicates that, during the collision, trolley B has a constant acceleration.
(a(ii))[1]
Describe how the graph in Fig. 1.2 shows that the magnitude of trolley B’s acceleration is greater than the magnitude of trolley A’s deceleration.
(a(iii))[2]
Calculate the acceleration of trolley B when $t = 0.40\,\text{s}$.
(b)[2]
The mass of trolley A is $0.80\,\text{kg}$. The mass of trolley B is $0.60\,\text{kg}$. Show that momentum is conserved in the collision.
(c)[2]
In a different collision between the same trolleys, the rod and modelling clay are missing. Trolley A strikes trolley B with the same initial speed. Explain why the force between the trolleys is greater in this collision.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “A straight line on the speed-time graph” …