Physics (AS & A Level) · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Question 7

A moving object strikes a stationary object. The collision is inelastic. The objects move off together. Assume that the two objects form an isolated system. Which row shows the possible values of total momentum and total kinetic energy for the system before and after the collision?

1. Atotal momentum before collision / kg m s–1: 6; total momentum after collision / kg m s–1: 2; total kinetic energy before collision / J: 90; total kinetic energy after collision / J: 30
2. Btotal momentum before collision / kg m s–1: 6; total momentum after collision / kg m s–1: 6; total kinetic energy before collision / J: 30; total kinetic energy after collision / J: 90
3. Ctotal momentum before collision / kg m s–1: 6; total momentum after collision / kg m s–1: 6; total kinetic energy before collision / J: 90; total kinetic energy after collision / J: 30
4. Dtotal momentum before collision / kg m s–1: 6; total momentum after collision / kg m s–1: 6; total kinetic energy before collision / J: 90; total kinetic energy after collision / J: 90

As printed in the paper