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Question 30438
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Work, Power and Energy: Inelastic Collision — Energy Loss MCQ

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Inelastic Collision — Energy LossHardQuestion 30438

Question

Two equal masses (each m) collide head-on. One moves at v, the other at rest. After perfectly inelastic collision, energy lost is:
  1. A
    ½mv²
  2. B
    mv²/4
    Correct
  3. C
    mv²/2
  4. D
    mv²

Correct answer

mv²/4

Explanation

After collision: v_f = mv/(2m) = v/2. KE_before = ½mv². KE_after = ½(2m)(v/2)² = ¼mv². Energy lost = ½mv² − ¼mv² = ¼mv².

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