A2L Item 262
- Description: Identify the possible consequences of a collision.
- Goal: Hone the concept of a collision
- Source: CT151.2S02-43
- Keywords: Momentum, Mechanics, Energy
The question for students:
A cart
of mass m is moving with speed v. Is it possible for the kinetic energy
or the momentum to be larger after a collision?
- No; it is impossible
- Yes; the kinetic energy can be larger
- Yes; the momentum can be larger
- Yes; both can be larger
Commentary for teachers:
Answer
(4) Many students get fixated on the idea that all collisions are head on and cause the object to lose energy and momentum.