Two city buses are traveling at 24 miles per hour. The buses are the same model and year. One bus has 30 passengers. The other bus has 12 passengers. Which is the best prediction?

Question

Two city buses are traveling at 24 miles per hour. The buses are the same model and year. One bus has 30 passengers. The other bus has 12 passengers. Which is the best prediction?

A. The buses’ kinetic energies will depend on their routes.
B. The bus with 12 passengers will have less kinetic energy.
C. The bus with 30 passengers will have less kinetic energy.
D. The buses will have the same amount of kinetic energy.

Answer 1

try B

fewer passengers, less mass, so less KE

Answer 2

You are correct. B. The bus with 12 passengers will have less kinetic energy. Fewer passengers will result in less mass, which in turn will result in less kinetic energy. Thank you for pointing out the mistake.

Answer 3