In a warehouse, the workers sometimes slide boxes along the floor to move them. Two boxes were sliding toward each other and crashed. The crash caused both boxes to change speed. Based on the information in the diagram, which statement is correct? In your answer, explain what the forces were like and why the boxes changed speed. Box 1 has more mass than Box 2.
Box 1 and Box 2 are the same mass.
Box 1 has less mass than Box 2.

Box 1 has more mass than Box 2

Explanation:

The given parameters are;

The initial velocity of Box 1, v₁ = 4 km/hr right

The initial velocity of Box 2, v₂ = 8 km/hr left

The final velocity of Box 1, v₃ = 2 km/hr left

The initial velocity of Box 2, v₄ = 1 km/hr left

Let the mass of Box 1 = m₁, and the mass of Box 2 = m₂

We take the motion in the right direction and the motion in the left direction as negative, which gives;

The initial velocity of Box 1, v₁ = 4 km/hr

The initial velocity of Box 2, v₂ = -8 km/hr

The final velocity of Box 1, v₃ = -2 km/hr

The initial velocity of Box 2, v₄ = -1 km/hr

By the principle of conservation of linear momentum, we have;

The sum of initial momentum = The sum of the final momentum

m₁ × v₁ + m₂ × v₂ = m₁ × v₃ + m₂ × v₄

m₁ × 4 + m₂ × (-8) = m₁ × (-2) + m₂ × (-1)

m₁ × 4 - 8 × m₂ = -2 × m₁ -  m₂

m₁ × 4 + 2 × m₁  = 8 × m₂ -  m₂ = 7 × m₂

6 × m₁  = 7 × m₂

m₁  = 7/6 × m₂ = 1.1·m₂

m₁  = 1.1·m₂

∴ m₁  > 1 × m₂

m₁  >  m₂

Box 1 has more mass than Box 2.