Final answer:
To analyze the puck's motion, key information needed includes the mass of the puck, the coefficient of friction between the puck and ice, and any external forces acting on it, determining whether kinematic equations must be used to describe deceleration.
Step-by-step explanation:
To analyze the motion of the puck across the ice had by Derek with an initial velocity of 12 m/s, the key information needed includes the mass of the puck, the coefficient of friction between the puck and the ice (assuming there is some friction and it is not a perfectly frictionless surface), and any external forces acting on the puck, such as air resistance or contact with other objects. If the surface is assumed to be frictionless and no external forces are at play, then the puck would simply continue to move with a uniform motion at a constant velocity of 12 m/s. However, if friction or other forces are present, these would cause a deceleration of the puck over time, requiring the use of kinematic equations to describe its motion fully.