Chapter 9: Problem 48
(II) Car A hits car B (initially at rest and of equal mass) from behind while going \(35 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\). Immediately after the collision, car B moves forward at \(25 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) and car \(\mathrm{A}\) is at rest. What fraction of the initial kinetic energy is lost in the collision?
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Identify the Initial Kinetic Energy
Calculate Initial Kinetic Energy Value
Identify the Final Kinetic Energy
Calculate Final Kinetic Energy Value
Determine the Change in Kinetic Energy
Calculate the Fraction of Energy Lost
Simplify the Fraction
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Collision Physics
- Types of Collisions: Collisions can be classified based on how energy is conserved as elastic, inelastic, or perfectly inelastic.
- Elastic collisions maintain both kinetic energy and momentum, while inelastic ones do not preserve kinetic energy, but still conserve momentum.
- Our scenario is most likely inelastic as some kinetic energy is lost.
Energy Conservation
In our problem, the focus is on kinetic energy, which is energy due to motion. Before the impact, Car A possesses kinetic energy due to its velocity, while Car B is stationary with zero kinetic energy.
- Initial Kinetic Energy: Car A's energy depends solely on its speed and mass: \( KE_{initial} = \frac{1}{2} m (35)^2 \).
- Post-Collision: After the collision, only Car B moves forward, resulting in a new kinetic energy value.
- Energy Transformation: The total system energy includes other forms post-collision, hinting at an energy loss in the kinetic form.
Momentum Conservation
- Before Collision: Car A's momentum results from its motion, while Car B, being at rest, contributes none to the initial momentum.
- After Collision: The system's combined momentum equates to the altered states of the cars, involving Car B moving forward.
- Conserved Quantity: Despite a change in individual velocities, overall momentum is conserved, confirming the unchangeability principle.