Question

The two particles are both moving to the right. Particle 1 catches up with particle 2 and collides with it. The particles stick together and continue on with velocity vf. Which of these statements is true?
A. vf=v1
B. vf=v2
C. vf is less than v2
D. vf is less than v2 but greater than v1
E. vf>v1

Answer 1

Answer:

See bolded below.

Explanation:

Consider the " Before " and " After. " " Before, " this particle 1 was trying to catch up with this particle 2, and " after " particle one had collided with particle two. Take a look at the attachment below for a more detailed examination.

Here is how this will play out. Particle 1, with great velocity, will hit particle 2, which would mean that Particle 2 has less velocity than Particle 1. Now after the collision, energy is transferred to Particle 2, and while Particle 1 has now stopped in it's tracks, Particle 2 - with more energy than before - will continue as long as it has to before friction eventually brings it to a stop.

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From this we can conclude that Vf, from the picture below, must have less energy than V1, but more energy than V2 - and vice versa.