A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of `2.00 ms^(-1)` on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. What is the energy loss during the collision?

Explanation

By the law of conservation of momentum `m u= (M+m)v`
`0.50 xx 2.00 = (1 + 0.50) v, (1.00)/(1.50) = v`
Initial K.E. = `(1//2) xx 0.50 xx (2.00)^(2) = 1.00 J`
Final K.E. = `1/2 xx 1.50 xx (1.00^2)/((1.50)^2) = (1.00)/(3.00) = 0.33 J`
`:.` Loss of energy = `1.00 - 0.33 = 0.67 J`.