6. Two objects experience a frictionless inelastic collision in which they do no

Question

6. Two objects experience a frictionless inelastic collision in which they do not stick together. Assume they move in one dimension. Initially, Object 1 is moving to the right at 8 m/s and Object 2 is moving to the left at 5 m/s (i.e., they are moving in opposite directions). We don't know what the masses of the objects are. Which of the following statements could be true about the post-collision combined momentum and combined kinetic energy of the system of two objects? (a) Combined momentum 0 kg*m/s, combined kinetic energy- 300 J (b) Combined momentum 0 kg*m/s, combined kinetic energy 0 (c) Combined momentum-20 kg'm/s, combined kinetic energy -200J (d) Combined momentum--30 kg'm/s, combined kinetic energy 500J

Explanation / Answer

Zero momentum is possible since they are moving in opposite directions.

Negative kinetic energy is not possible and we know that kinetic energy is not conseved in an inelastic collision. So even if it was greater than zero(like in this case) before collision, it would definitely decreases. So (b) could be true and other possibilities like (a) and (d) are also possible.

So (c) can't be true.

(a) (b) and (d) all of these are possible.

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