Final answer:
In the scenario of a collision between two objects of equal mass with one initially at rest, the law of conservation of momentum ensures that momentum remains constant in the system. However, whether kinetic energy is conserved depends on the type of collision. Since Object A stops and transfers its motion to Object B, this suggests an inelastic collision where kinetic energy is not conserved.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Conservation Laws in Collisions
When considering conservation laws during collisions, two important principles are the conservation of momentum and the conservation of kinetic energy. In the given scenario, two objects of equal mass collide, with Object A moving initially and Object B initially at rest. After the collision, Object A comes to rest, and Object B moves with an unknown velocity.
The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that in a closed system with no external forces acting on it, the total momentum remains constant. For the given situation, since there are no external forces, momentum is conserved before and after the collision. Using the conservation of momentum, we can calculate the velocity of Object B after the collision.
However, whether kinetic energy is conserved depends on the type of collision. In elastic collisions, kinetic energy is conserved. In inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved, and some of it is transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound. The problem states that Object A comes to rest, meaning all its kinetic energy would be transferred to Object B if kinetic energy were conserved. Yet, we cannot determine whether kinetic energy is conserved without knowing the velocity of Object B, which is unknown. Nevertheless, collisions where objects stick together or come to rest are typically inelastic, implying that kinetic energy may not be conserved.