A cart moves at a constant speed of along a straight track
PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power
Problem
A cart moves at a constant speed of 3ms−1 along a straight track. Observer G stands on the ground, while observer C rides on a second cart that moves alongside the first at the same speed in the same direction. Which statement is true about the kinetic energy each observer assigns to the first cart?
(a) Observers G and C assign the same non-zero kinetic energy because kinetic energy depends only on the cart’s mass, which is the same for both observers.
(b) Observer C assigns a larger kinetic energy than observer G because, relative to C, the cart’s speed is the sum of the two carts’ speeds.
(c) Observer G assigns a larger kinetic energy than observer C because the cart is at rest relative to C.
(d) Neither observer can determine the cart’s kinetic energy without knowing the net external force acting on the cart.