In a one-dimensional collision, a 2 kg puck moving at 4 m/s strikes a 3 kg stationary puck and the first puck comes to rest. What is the final velocity of the second puck?

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Multiple Choice

In a one-dimensional collision, a 2 kg puck moving at 4 m/s strikes a 3 kg stationary puck and the first puck comes to rest. What is the final velocity of the second puck?

Explanation:
Momentum is conserved in collisions when no external forces act along the line of motion. Here, the initial momentum comes from the moving puck: 2 kg × 4 m/s = 8 kg·m/s. The stationary puck contributes nothing at first. After the collision, the first puck stops, so all momentum is carried by the second puck: 3 kg × v_final. Setting initial and final momentum equal gives 8 = 3 × v_final, so v_final = 8/3 ≈ 2.67 m/s. The final velocity is in the same direction as the initial motion along the line.

Momentum is conserved in collisions when no external forces act along the line of motion. Here, the initial momentum comes from the moving puck: 2 kg × 4 m/s = 8 kg·m/s. The stationary puck contributes nothing at first. After the collision, the first puck stops, so all momentum is carried by the second puck: 3 kg × v_final. Setting initial and final momentum equal gives 8 = 3 × v_final, so v_final = 8/3 ≈ 2.67 m/s. The final velocity is in the same direction as the initial motion along the line.

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