a) The student hypothesizes that a greater fraction of kinetic energy is lost from the system during the collision when the speed of the first cart is greater Briefly state one reason the hypothesis might be correct

Answer with Explanation:

One hypothesis above would probably rely on the situation called "inelastic collision." The two carts are travelling towards each other at different speed. So, this means that once they collide, the kinetic energy will not be conserved but will be transferred as sound energy, thermal energy or material deformation. The impact will be great, thus a greater fraction of kinetic energy will be lost from the system.