What happens when things collide

Question 1

A pink toy car is rolling at a steady speed of 2 m/s down a smooth hallway and hits a stationary gray wooden crate that is twice as heavy. Right after the collision, which statement best describes what you would see and hear?

Accepted Answer

The car slows down, the crate begins to move forward slowly, and you hear a brief thump.

Answer

The car keeps moving at the same speed, the crate stays still, and you hear no sound.

Answer

The car stops completely, the crate moves forward at the same speed the car had, and you hear a loud crash.

Answer

Both the car and the crate move together at the same slower speed, and you hear a high‑pitched squeak.

Question 2

A red toy car rolls across a smooth floor at a moderate speed and bumps into a larger, stationary wooden block. After the collision the car slows down and the block starts sliding. Which statement best explains what happened to the energy during the collision?

Accepted Answer

Some of the car’s kinetic energy was transferred to the block, so the block moves while the car’s speed decreases.

Answer

The car’s kinetic energy turned into heat, so both the car and the block stop moving after the collision.

Answer

The car kept all of its kinetic energy, so it continues moving at the same speed and the block stays still.

Answer

All of the car’s kinetic energy went to the block, making the block move faster than the car was moving and stopping the car completely.

Question 3

A toy car rolls toward a wall and stops when it hits the wall. What happens to the car’s energy during the collision?

Accepted Answer

The car’s kinetic energy changes into sound and heat.

Answer

The car’s kinetic energy increases as it hits the wall.

Answer

The car’s kinetic energy is lost and disappears.

Answer

The car’s kinetic energy turns into light.

Try three questions

A pink toy car is rolling at a steady speed of 2 m/s down a smooth hallway and hits a stationary gray wooden crate that is twice as heavy. Right after the collision, which statement best describes what you would see and hear?

A red toy car rolls across a smooth floor at a moderate speed and bumps into a larger, stationary wooden block. After the collision the car slows down and the block starts sliding. Which statement best explains what happened to the energy during the collision?

A toy car rolls toward a wall and stops when it hits the wall. What happens to the car’s energy during the collision?

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