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reb659
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Homework Statement
Imagine two scenarios. The system in both is the object and ruler.
In case 1, a rectangular object undergoes a collision with a ruler, which is initially at rest. It strikes the ruler on its center of mass.
In case 2, it is the same situation except the object strikes the ruler in some point between its center of mass and the end of the ruler.
In which case does the ruler have greater kinetic energy and why? Explain in terms of conserved quantities.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
The net torque and net force in both cases would be zero by the laws of conservation of linear and angular momentum.
I'm reasoning that the kinetic energy in case 2 would be greater because in case 2, both rotational kinetic energy and kinetic energy are conserved while in case 1, only kinetic energy is conserved.
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