Two equal masses of 1 kg each moving toward each other with speeds of 3 m/s collide elastically on a frictionless track. What is the total kinetic energy after the collision?

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Multiple Choice

Two equal masses of 1 kg each moving toward each other with speeds of 3 m/s collide elastically on a frictionless track. What is the total kinetic energy after the collision?

Explanation:
Kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions on a frictionless track. Each 1 kg mass moving at 3 m/s has kinetic energy ½mv^2 = 0.5×1×9 = 4.5 J, so the total before impact is 9 J. In an elastic collision between equal masses, they simply exchange velocities, so after the collision each mass still moves at 3 m/s (in opposite directions). The total kinetic energy remains 9 J. Therefore, the total kinetic energy after the collision is 9 joules.

Kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions on a frictionless track. Each 1 kg mass moving at 3 m/s has kinetic energy ½mv^2 = 0.5×1×9 = 4.5 J, so the total before impact is 9 J. In an elastic collision between equal masses, they simply exchange velocities, so after the collision each mass still moves at 3 m/s (in opposite directions). The total kinetic energy remains 9 J. Therefore, the total kinetic energy after the collision is 9 joules.

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