Final answer:
Changing speed affects kinetic energy and forces during a collision, increasing them. The correct answer is a. Increases kinetic energy and forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the speed of an object changes during a collision, it affects the kinetic energy and the forces involved.
If the speed increases, the kinetic energy also increases. This is because kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of the speed.
On the other hand, if the speed decreases, the kinetic energy also decreases. The amount of forces on the objects during the collision will follow the same pattern: increasing or decreasing along with the changes in speed.
Therefore, the correct answer is option a. Increases kinetic energy and forces.
When considering how changing speed affects kinetic energy during a collision, we must recall the relationship that kinetic energy (KE) is proportional to the square of speed, as defined by the equation KE = 1/2 mv2, where m is the mass and v is the speed of an object.
Therefore, if the speed increases, the kinetic energy will also increase exponentially. During a collision, if an object's speed increases, this would result in an increase in kinetic energy and consequently higher forces applied upon the objects due to Newton's second law, which states that force is equal to mass times acceleration (F = ma).