Final answer:
The final total energy of the open system, which originally has 52 J of mechanical energy and then changes to 45 J of mechanical energy and 2 J of thermal energy, is calculated to be 47 J.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the concept of energy conservation in an open system in physics. If the system starts with 52 J of mechanical energy and changes to 45 J of mechanical energy and 2 J of thermal energy, the final total energy of the system can be calculated by adding up all forms of energy after the change. This would result in:
Final mechanical energy = 45 J
Final thermal energy = 2 J
Final total energy = Final mechanical energy + Final thermal energy = 45 J + 2 J
Therefore, the final total energy is:
47 J (Answer B).