When a clock reads 5.0 seconds a cart's velocity in the negative x direction is 3.0 m/s. when the clock reads 6.0 seconds, the cart's velocity in the positive x direction is 4.0 m/s. what is the magnitude (in m/s2) of the average acceleration of the cart?

Impulse is the change of momentum before and after the collision:

I = mv₁ - mv₂ = m (v₁-v₂)

m mass

v velocity

Impuls also is defined as the average force during a short period of time:

I = F * t = m * a * t

F average force

t time difference

m mass

a average acceleration

Combined:

m (v₁ - v₂) = m * a * t

a = (v₁ - v₂) / t

= (4m/s - (-3m/s)) / 6s - 5s

= 7m/s / 1s

= 7 m/s²