A 60 kg man skating at a speed of 10 m/s collides with a 40 kg skater at rest, and they cling to each other. Determine the loss of kinetic energy during the collision.

Step-by-step solution

By the principle of conservation of linear momentum: m₁ u₁ + m₂ u₂ = (m₁ + m₂) v 60 10 + 40 0 = (60 + 40) v 600 = 100 v v = 6 m/s Initial kinetic energy of the system: K_i = 1 2 m₁ u₁^2 = 1 2 60 (10)^2 = 3000 J Final kinetic energy of the system: K_f = 1 2 (m₁ + m₂) v^2 = 1 2 100 (6)^2 = 1800 J Loss of kinetic energy: K = K_i - K_f = 3000 - 1800 = 1200 J