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Two objects of equal mass are moving with equal and opposite velocities when they collide. Can all the kinetic energy be lost in the collision?

a) Yes, because the masses are equal.
b) No, because kinetic energy is always conserved in collisions.
c) Yes, because the velocities are equal and opposite.
d) No, because the conservation of kinetic energy depends on various factors.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

No, all the kinetic energy cannot be lost in the collision. Inelastic collisions do not conserve kinetic energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

No, all the kinetic energy cannot be lost in the collision.

While momentum is always conserved in a collision, kinetic energy is not necessarily conserved.

In this case, the collision described is an inelastic collision, which is a type of collision where the objects stick together and internal kinetic energy is not conserved.

The fact that the objects have equal mass and equal and opposite velocities does not guarantee that all the kinetic energy will be lost.

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