Question

Consider two magnet carts (i.e., two carts with magnets attached or inside them) oriented such that they attract each other. Initially, the two magnet carts are being held in position across the two opposite ends of the track. The carts are then released and start moving toward each other. While the two carts are moving toward each other after they are released, what happens to their kinetic energy?

Answer 1

A. The kinetic energy of one of the carts increases while that of the second cart decreases.
B. The kinetic energy of the carts decreases.
C. The kinetic energy of the carts does not change.
D. The kinetic energy of the carts increases.

Answer 2

I think it would be D because when any object is in motion it cause an increase in speed... am i correct?

Answer 3

i believe you are correct.

Answer 4

hi

Answer 5

actually, though, it might be A

Answer 6

nvm i'm not sure. all i know is that kinetic energy is energy of an object moving

Answer 7

what makes you think it would be A?

Answer 8

I think this is a physics question but whatever...
so Kinetic Energy is given by he formula:
\[KE = \frac{ 1 }{ 2 } \times mv^{2}\]
so given that, what do you think?

Answer 9

with the given i would think that it increases right?

Answer 10

And you would be right! The velocity is obviously increasing for each cart but the mass is obviously the same, so the KE would be increasing for both carts.

Answer 11

awesome that makes so much more sense with a formula! thank you so much! :)

Answer 12

No problem!

Answer 13

@1DEA do you think you could help me with one more please?

Answer 14

sure is it physics related? Because if it is you might as well move it to the physics section

Answer 15

it is, I've tried and no one ever answers :( i thought you were good with physics so i was going to try you again but if not its okay i can find somewhere else!

Answer 16

ahhh that's fine actually I love physics, and sometimes I lurk around the physics section but I am usually here in the Math section lol. But ask away!

Answer 17

What happens to the magnetic potential energy of the system of the two attracting magnet carts while they are moving toward each other?

A. The magnetic potential energy of the system decreases.

B. The magnetic potential energy of one of the carts increases while that of the second cart decreases.

C. The magnetic potential energy of the system stays constant.

D. The magnetic potential energy of the system increases.

Answer 18

Ahh this is completely related to the previous question. So have you ever heard of something called the law of conservation of energy?

Answer 19

yes! it can't be created or destroyed right?

Answer 20

Yes! So we know from the previous question that the KE of the system increases but that has to come from somewhere due to the law of conservation of energy. Where do you think it came from?

Answer 21

would it be a decrease in MPE?

Answer 22

Exactly! The energy from KE came from the MPE!

Answer 23

but would it be A that both of the carts have a decrease in MPE or B that one decreases while one increases?

Answer 24

well think about it, both carts are basically indistinguishable from one another, so both of them have to be doing the same thing.

Answer 25

oh okay, that makes sense because BOTH are attracting towards each other!

Answer 26

exactly!

Answer 27

thank you SO much!

Answer 28

no problem any time!

Answer 29

i have like 5 more physics questions that i really want to make sure i understand and get right. can i post them in the physics area and tag you in them?

Answer 30

sure!

Answer 31

i could make new questions so you get more medals also :)

Answer 32

I'll head over there right now. Up to you about making them separate, I do this because I like helping people, not because of medals lol.