Two perfectly inelastic collisions occur on identical
PHYSICS · Subjective · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Linear Momentum · Linear Momentum
Problem
Two perfectly inelastic collisions occur on identical, frictionless tracks.
• Collision I: Cart X (mass m) moving at speed v strikes and sticks to an identical cart Y initially at rest.
• Collision II: Cart P (mass m) moving at the same speed v strikes and sticks to cart Q of mass 2m initially at rest.
Indicate which collision results in a larger percentage loss of the system’s initial kinetic energy and briefly justify your answer.