Question

A 1200-kg car initially at rest undergoes constant acceleration for 8.8 s, reaching a speed of 10 m/ s. It then collides with a stationary car that has a perfectly elastic spring bumper. What is the final kinetic energy of the two-car system

Answer 1

The final kinetic energy of the two-car system is 60,000 J.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of the car, m = 1200 kg

time of motion, t = 8.8 s

final velocity of the car, v = 10 m/s

Apply the principle of conservation of kinetic energy; the initial kinetic energy is equal final kinetic energy.

`K.E_i = K.E_f\\\\K.E_f = (1)/(2)mv^2\\\\K.E_f = (1)/(2)(1200)(10)^2\\\\K.E_f = 60,000 \ J`

Therefore, the final kinetic energy of the two-car system is 60,000 J.