Answer:
Equal
Explanation:
The impulse theorem states that the impulse exerted on each cart is equal to the change in momentum of the cart:
[tex]I=\Delta p=p_f -p_i[/tex]
where
I is the impulse
pf is the final momentum
pi is the initial momentum
The impulse is equal to the product between the force applied and the contact time:
[tex]I=F\Delta t[/tex]
In this case, the force applied to the two carts (F) is the same, and the contact time ([tex]\Delta t[/tex]) is the same as well. Therefore, the impulse exerted on the two carts is the same.
Moreover, the initial momentum of the two carts is also the same (zero, because they start from rest: [tex]p_i=0[/tex]). So the formula becomes
[tex]p_f = I[/tex]
And since I is the same for the two carts, the final momentum ([tex]p_f[/tex]) will also be equal.
