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Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist - Space Flight Systems ...

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Bumper Cars<br />

Ride Measurements—Answer Key<br />

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.<br />

1.<br />

During collision 2, is kinetic energy (KE) conserved<br />

Explain why or why not. Yes, KE is conserved. Except for the<br />

loss of energy due to heat and sound formed by the collision, the<br />

speed and thus the KE of car A was transferred to car B.<br />

2.<br />

3.<br />

In collision 3, KE is not conserved. If the total energy of<br />

the system is conserved, where did the KE go<br />

Although both cars end up in motion, some KE is lost. The total<br />

energy of the system, however, is constant, as some of the KE or<br />

energy of motion, is changed to heat and sound. Also, the two cars<br />

lock up and combine to be a unit. This unit has a large mass, thus<br />

they end up going slower.<br />

During collision 4, is KE conserved Explain why or why not.<br />

There will be some loss due to heat and sound, but most of the KE<br />

is conserved as the car rebounds from the wall. The harder the<br />

surface of the wall, the more KE is conserved.<br />

117<br />

<strong>Amusement</strong> <strong>Park</strong> <strong>Physics</strong> <strong>With</strong> a <strong>NASA</strong> <strong>Twist</strong><br />

EG–2003–03–010–GRC

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