How to calculate total momentum before and after an equation?

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To calculate the total momentum before and after a collision involving two carts, sum the individual momenta of each cart. The total momentum before the collision is the sum of the momentum of cart 1 and cart 2. After the collision, the total momentum should also equal the sum of the momenta of both carts, accounting for direction by considering negative values for momentum if carts move in opposite directions. This principle ensures that momentum is conserved in the system, within experimental error. Understanding these calculations is crucial for accurately analyzing the results of the experiment.
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Homework Statement


I have been working on a lab where I am doing an experiment with two carts. I have calculated the momentum of cart 1 before and after the collision, and the momentum of cart 2 before and after the collision, but then how do I get the total momentum before and after the collision?


Homework Equations


p=m*v


The Attempt at a Solution


Would total momentum be equal to (momentum before collision of cart 1)+(momentum before collision of cart 2)?
 
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seallen said:
Would total momentum be equal to (momentum before collision of cart 1)+(momentum before collision of cart 2)?

Yes it would, it should also equal momentum of the carts after the collision (within error)
 
By the way, don't forget that one of the cart's momentum will be negative if they are moving in opposite directions.
 
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