A 2.0 kg cart moving in a straight line hits a piece of modeling clay (1.0 kg) that is at rest. The clay sticks to the cart and both move to the left at 1.0 m/s. What was the initial velocity of the cart and in which direction? (Remember to include - to indicate direction if necessary.) v= m/s

Go to the bathroom and vape

I'm having some difficulty seeing the diagram clearly.but the question says there's a net inward force on the object.so we know right away,  from newton's 2nd law of motion, thatthat baby is accelerating.  it doesn't even matter which way thenet force is pointing.  if there's any net force, then either theobject's speed or else its direction must be changing.

Ray 2 should cross through the focal point on the right side of the lens