Cart Explosion- Is Energy conserved?

In summary, the question is whether kinetic energy is conserved in cart explosions, where two carts with springs on the back are pushed together and released. While it is difficult to determine the initial potential energy of the springs, there are changes in kinetic energy involved. There may be some minor losses of energy due to movements of the carts and the springs, but the main focus is on the conservation of kinetic energy. It is believed that elastic potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy during the explosion.
  • #1
Dynamite
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So yes that's the question:

In a cart explosions (where 2 carts with springs on the back are pushed together and let go) is the kinetic energy conserved? If not why?

I can't find it in my textbook or on internet sites (things specifically related to cart explosions anyways)

But attempting to answer this, I think it's conserved.. we just have no way of knowing what the initial potential energyof the springs are... ?
 
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  • #2
Is the question about conserving energy or about conserving kinetic energy?
There are changes in KE involved (zero when the carts are stopped).
No doubt there will be some little losses of energy in the spring, movements of the carts, etc. - how picky are we supposed to be?
 
  • #3
its actually about the conservation of kinetic energy ...

so would it be conserved?

I mean there would be elastic potential energy right.. ?and that would transform into kinetic energy?!
 

FAQ: Cart Explosion- Is Energy conserved?

1. How is energy conserved in a cart explosion?

Energy is conserved in a cart explosion through the principle of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between different forms. In a cart explosion, the potential energy stored in the compressed spring is converted into kinetic energy as the cart moves, and then into heat and sound energy as the cart collides with another object.

2. Is all of the energy in the cart explosion conserved?

Yes, all of the energy in a cart explosion is conserved. However, some of the energy may be converted into other forms, such as heat or sound, which may not be useful for the original purpose of the explosion.

3. How does the mass of the cart affect the conservation of energy?

The mass of the cart does not affect the conservation of energy. The total amount of energy in the system remains the same, regardless of the mass of the cart. However, the mass of the cart may affect the distribution of energy between different forms, such as kinetic and potential energy.

4. Can energy be created or destroyed in a cart explosion?

No, energy cannot be created or destroyed in a cart explosion. The total amount of energy in the system remains the same before and after the explosion. However, the energy may be converted into different forms.

5. How does friction affect the conservation of energy in a cart explosion?

Friction can impact the conservation of energy in a cart explosion by converting some of the kinetic energy into heat energy. This means that the total amount of energy in the system may decrease slightly due to friction. However, the principle of conservation of energy still holds true, as the energy is simply being transferred into a different form.

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