Question

there are 3 different collisions. which of the following would have the least amount of total kinetic energy? 1. two people running to catch a frisbee and run into each other. 2. a football player trips and falls to the ground. 3. someone playing dodgeball and while running gets hit with a ball. a collision 1 b collision 2 c collision 3

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze kinetic energy formula

Kinetic energy $K = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2}$, where $m$ is mass and $v$ is velocity. Total kinetic - energy depends on masses and velocities of objects in collision.

Step2: Consider collision 1

Two people running to catch a frisbee likely have relatively high velocities and non - zero masses, so total kinetic energy is significant.

Step3: Consider collision 2

A football player trips and falls to the ground. The player's velocity just before hitting the ground is mainly in the vertical direction due to gravity, and the horizontal velocity component that was there before tripping is lost. The overall velocity magnitude just before impact is relatively small compared to running into each other in collision 1 or being hit while running in collision 3.

Step4: Consider collision 3

Someone playing dodgeball and getting hit while running has a non - zero velocity and the ball also has a velocity. So total kinetic energy is relatively high.

Answer:

B. collision 2