Question

Two identical objects are moving directly toward one another at the same speed v. ~v −~v m m What is the total kinetic energy of the system of the two objects?

Answer 1

Answer:

$mv^2$

Explanation:

Calling m the mass of each object and v its speed, the kinetic energy of one object is given by

$K_1 = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$

As we can see, the value of the kinetic energy depends only on the speed, not on the direction of the velocity. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the second object is the same:

$K_2 = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$

And so, the total kinetic energy is

$K=K_1 +K_2 = \frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}mv^2=mv^2$

Answer 2

Answer: Correct answer is just add the two kinetic energies; E = (1/2)mv^2 + (1/2)mv^2