Final answer:
The question involves calculating the fraction of kinetic energy lost after a collision between two motorcycles by using the initial and final velocities of the motorcycles and the fact that they are identical in mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you've asked is related to the conservation of kinetic energy and momentum in a collision scenario in physics. When motorcycle A, which was moving at 35.0 m/s, collides with motorcycle B (at rest) and comes to a complete stop while motorcycle B moves forward at 18.0 m/s, we need to calculate the fraction of the initial kinetic energy that is lost in the collision.
The initial kinetic energy (KE) of the system is only from motorcycle A, since motorcycle B is at rest:
KE_initial = (1/2) * m * v^2 = (1/2) * m * (35.0 m/s)^2
The final kinetic energy of the system is that of motorcycle B, since motorcycle A is stationary:
KE_final = (1/2) * m * (18.0 m/s)^2
To find the fraction of the initial kinetic energy that is lost, we use:
Fraction_lost = (KE_initial - KE_final) / KE_initial
Substitute the values and simplify to find the actual fraction lost. The mass (m) cancels out because it's the same for both motorcycles, and thus does not need to be known to calculate the fraction of energy lost.