Answer:
The question relates to the conservation of energy principle, the conservation of the linear momentum, and Newton's Laws of motion
Part A
1) Tom throwing a baseball at a can
The initial velocity of the baseball = v₂
The initial kinetic energy of the baseball, K.E.₂ = (1/2)·m₂·v₂²
∴ The final kinetic energy of the baseball, K.E.₂' = (1/2)·m₂·v₂'² < (1/2)·m₂·v₂²
Therefore, the energy of the ball before the collision is lesser than the energy of the ball after the collision
2) The evidence that would likely support the claim is that the baseball's height above the ground reduces rapidly immediately after the collision which is due to the reduced velocity, and therefore, the reduced (kinetic) energy
The final velocity of the baseball v₂' < v₂
Part B
1) The argument
The initial velocity of the can = v₁ = 0 (The can is initially at rest)
The initial kinetic energy of the can, K.E.₁ = (1/2)·m₁·v₁² = 0
The final velocity of the can v₁' > v₁ = 0
∴ The final kinetic energy of the can, K.E.₁ = (1/2)·m₁·v₁² > 0
Given that the velocity of the can increases from zero to a positive value after collision with the baseball, the kinetic energy of the can is increased from zero before the collision to a positive value after the collision
2) An evidence in support of the argument is the motion of the can which was initially at rest which is an indication of increase in energy podded by the can
Explanation:
