Energy in Collisions A team of students conducts a series of experiments to investigate collisions. In the first experiment, the two
carts collide with each other on a smooth surface. The carts stick together and continue to move forward. In
the second experiment, the two carts collide with each other on a rough surface. The carts stick together and
quickly come to rest. In both experiments, the initial speeds of the carts are identical. Is there a difference in
the total energy of the two experiments?
O A. No, because the kinetic energy of the two-cart system after the collision is the same in both the
experiments.
B. No, because the sum of the kinetic energy and thermal energy of the two-cart system after the
collision is the same in both experiments.
OĆ. Yes, because the kinetic energy of the two-cart system in the second experiment after the
collision is less than that of the first experiment.
OD. Yes, because the sum of the kinetic energy and thermal energy of the two cart system in the
second experiment after the collision is less than that of the first experiment.