Classical Mechanics

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy lost in inelastic collisions

         

An \(\SI{8e3}{\kilo\gram}\) truck traveling at \(20\text{ m/s}\) hits a parked car of mass \(\SI{2e3}{\kilo\gram}\) from behind. If the collision is perfectly inelastic, what is the approximate total loss in kinetic energy?

Assume that the road is frictionless and ignore the deformation of the vehicles.

A wooden block of mass \(4.8\text{ kg}\) is at rest on a frictionless floor. A bullet of mass \(0.2\text{ kg}\) is fired at \(500\text{ m/s}\) towards the block. If the bullet becomes embedded inside the block, how much kinetic energy is lost?

A \(150\text{ kg}\) bumper car travels at \(12\text{ m/s}\) due east. It hits an identical bumper car traveling due north at \(16\text{ m/s}.\) If the cars lock bumpers and stick together, how much kinetic energy is lost in total?

Two balls of masses \(2\text{ kg}\) and \(3\text{ kg},\) respectively, move in opposite directions on a frictionless floor. Their respective speeds are \(2\text{ m/s}\) and \(8\text{ m/s}.\) If they stick together after a collision, how much kinetic energy is lost in total?

An eagle of mass \(18\text{ kg}\) is chasing a sparrow of mass \(2\text{ kg}\) from straight behind with a constant speed of \(13\text{ m/s}.\) The sparrow flies away at a constant speed of \(7\text{ m/s}.\) A few seconds later, the sparrow is swallowed by the eagle. If air resistance is negligible, what is the total loss in kinetic energy?

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