Momentum Multiple choice question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy during a collision between two billiard balls. The initial speed of the first ball is 5 m/s, while the second ball is at rest. After the collision, the speeds of the balls are 3 m/s and 4 m/s, respectively. The conclusion drawn is that both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, confirming that the correct answer is option C.

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  • Knowledge of kinetic energy calculations
  • Familiarity with basic physics equations for elastic collisions
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions involving mass and velocity
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  • Study the principles of elastic and inelastic collisions in physics
  • Learn how to derive and apply the conservation of momentum equations
  • Explore kinetic energy conservation in different types of collisions
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bballcool34
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A billiard ball has an initial speed of 5 m/s and it collides with another billiard ball of the same mass initially at rest. If the speeds of the two billiard balls are 3 and 4 m/s, then

a) momentum was conserved but not kinetic energy
b) kinetic energy was conserved but not momentum
c) momentum and kinetic energy were both conserved
d) neither momentum or kinetic energy were conserved

I saw that KE initial=KE final by doing:

(1/2)(m)(5)^2 = (1/2)(m)(3)^2 + (1/2)(m)(2)^2

I thought momentum was not conserved since P initial does not equal P final:
5m not equal to 4m +3m... so I thought the answer was B

The answer is C though...thanks for any help in advance.
 
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bballcool34 said:
A billiard ball has an initial speed of 5 m/s and it collides with another billiard ball of the same mass initially at rest. If the speeds of the two billiard balls are 3 and 4 m/s, then

a) momentum was conserved but not kinetic energy
b) kinetic energy was conserved but not momentum
c) momentum and kinetic energy were both conserved
d) neither momentum or kinetic energy were conserved

I saw that KE initial=KE final by doing:

(1/2)(m)(5)^2 = (1/2)(m)(3)^2 + (1/2)(m)(2)^2

hope that helps :]
 

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