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AP Physics C: Mechanics
4.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum
4.1 Linear Momentum
IntermediateMCQMathematicalConceptual18.7k
Two pucks, \(A\) and \(B\), slide on a frictionless horizontal surface in the \(xy\)-plane.

Puck \(A\) has mass \(m_A = 2.0\text{ kg}\) and initial velocity \(\vec{v}_{Ai} = (4.0\hat{i})\text{ m/s}\), and puck \(B\) has mass \(m_B = 1.0\text{ kg}\) and initial velocity \(\vec{v}_{Bi} = (3.0\hat{j})\text{ m/s}\).

The pucks collide, and immediately after the collision puck \(B\) has velocity \(\vec{v}_{Bf} = (4.0\hat{i} - 1.0\hat{j})\text{ m/s}\).

Which row in the table correctly indicates how the kinetic energy of puck \(B\), the total kinetic energy of the two-puck system, and the speed of the center of mass of the system change as a result of the collision?

Kinetic Energy of Puck \(B\)Total Kinetic Energy of SystemSpeed of Center of Mass
(A)DecreasesDecreasesDecreases
(B)DecreasesRemains constantRemains constant
(C)IncreasesIncreasesRemains constant
(D)IncreasesDecreasesRemains constant

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