Question

A student must perform an experiment in which two objects travel toward each other and collide so that the data collected can be used to show that the collision is elastic within the acceptable range of experimental uncertainty. Which of the following measuring tools, when used together, can the student use to verify that the collision is elastic?

A. A motion detector.
B. A meterstick.
C. A balance.
D. A stopwatch.

Answer 1

A. A motion detector.

C. A balance.

Step-by-step explanation:

An elastic collision can be defined as a type of collision in which the total kinetic energy possessed by the colliding bodies remain the same.

This ultimately implies that, in an elastic collision the maximum amount of kinetic energy possessed by the colliding bodies is conserved (kinetic energy is not lost) after the collision.

In this scenario, a student must perform an experiment in which two objects travel toward each other and collide so that the data collected can be used to show that the collision is elastic within the acceptable range of experimental uncertainty.

The measuring tools, which when used together, can be used by the student to verify that the collision is elastic are a motion detector and a balance.

Basically, the motion detector is an electronic device that can be used to determine the initial and final velocity of the objects while the balance would be used to take a measurement of the mass possessed by the objects.