- #1
Speedking96
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Homework Statement
Two pieces of clay collide and stick together. During the
collision, which of these statements are true?
(a) Only the momentum of the clay is conserved,
(b) only the mechanical energy of the clay is conserved,
(c) both the momentum and the mechanical energy of the clay are conserved,
(d) the kinetic energy of the clay is conserved.
2.The attempt at a solution
I would say the momentum of the clay is conserved. This is because when the piece that is traveling faster strikes the slower piece, the faster piece slows down whereas the slower piece speeds up.
Applying the same logic to the mechanical energy tells me that it is also conserved.