Inertia Physics Example 4

Solution

1. 1
   Acceleration of empty cart: $a_1 = \frac{F}{m_1} = \frac{40}{15} \approx 2.67 \text{ m/s}^2$. Acceleration of full cart: $a_2 = \frac{40}{60} \approx 0.67 \text{ m/s}^2$.
2. 2
   Final speed of empty cart: $v_1 = a_1 t = 2.67 \times 2 = 5.33 \text{ m/s}$. Final speed of full cart: $v_2 = 0.67 \times 2 = 1.33 \text{ m/s}$.
3. 3
   The full cart reaches only one-quarter the speed because it has four times the mass (inertia), demonstrating that greater inertia resists acceleration more strongly.