Elastic Collision Problem involving KE

[sj12390]

Homework Statement

In a collision a light object and a heavy object (elastic) which one has more KE? Does the answer depend on the initial speeds?

Homework Equations

Conservation of KE

The Attempt at a Solution

Since this is an elastic collision, KE is conserved. However, I was thinking that it would be impossible to tell which carries away with more of the KE because KE is determined based on mass AND velocity. While the light object might have a tiny mass, it could be traveling extremely fast and likewise, the heavy object could have a huge mass, but it could also be traveling extremely slowly. I'm just not sure if this is the correct logic, though. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[jmb88korean]

You could answer this question like, "If the two intial speeds are equal then..." and then answer the second part by saying, "If the initial speed of the lighter object is greater than that of the heavy object then..." and vce versa.