Question

Mr. Salge AP Physics 1, Period Cart B 2M 2H 2θ Cart A has nass M and is released foom reat at a height 2H en a ramp making an angle 20 with the horieoncal, as shown sbove. Cart B has mass 2M and is released trom rest at a height H on a ramp making an angle 6 with the horinontal The carts roll soward each other, have a head-on colision on the horizontal portion of the ramp, and stick sopether. The masnies of the carts' wheels are negligible, as are any frictional or drag forces Q) Consider the tinme interval from when the two cars are released unil just after they collide LFor the system consisting of the two carts and Earth, indicate whether the total mechanical energy increase, decreases, or remains the same. _ Increases 스 Decreases-_ Remains the same Justify your anewer because. Some ene灼y iS lust to Sounq i. For the system consisting of only the two carts, indicate whether the total mechanical energy increases decreases, or remains the same Increases Decreases Remains the same thrg wsaldf Justify your answer ray

Answer 1

Yes your answer are correct.

a) The total mechanical energy decreases because some energy is lost as heat and sound.

b) In the absence of any external forces, the work done on the system is zero. By, work energy theorem, as the work is zero, there will be no change in mechanical energy. So, the total mechanical energy remains the same.