Question

Two carts with the same mass are pushed together with a compressed spring between them. When the carts are let go, both move apart, from the spring force. Which will move with a higher speed? What will be the total momentum of the system be?

Two cars, one with mass m and the other with a mass 2m are pushed together with a compressed spring between them. When the cars are let go, both move apart, from the spring force. Which will move with a higher speed? What will the total momentum of the system be?

Answer 1

same mass, force same, acceleration same. total momentum has to be the same as before launch: zero

Same force, one twice mass.
F=ma. What do you think a will do if M is 2m?