Question

Sled A (with its riders) has twice the mass of Sled B (with its riders). If both sleds have the same kinetic energy, which sled is moving faster?

a) Sled A
b) Sled B
c) Both sleds are moving at the same speed
d) Cannot be determined from the information provided

Answer 1

Sled B is moving faster than Sled A because both sleds have the same kinetic energy, but Sled A has twice the mass so it must have a lower velocity to maintain the same kinetic energy as Sled B.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Sled A (with its riders) has twice the mass of Sled B (with its riders), and both sleds have the same kinetic energy, we can determine which sled is moving faster by using the kinetic energy formula:

KE = (1/2)mv²,

where m is the mass and v is the velocity of the sled. To have the same kinetic energy, the sled with the larger mass (Sled A) must have a lower velocity than the sled with the smaller mass (Sled B). Therefore, Sled B is moving faster than Sled A.

The correct answer is: b) Sled B