Why Choose Both Electron and Hydrogen Atom as a System in Collision Studies?

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In collision studies involving an electron and a hydrogen atom, selecting both as a system is beneficial because the total momentum remains conserved during the collision. The forces between the electron and hydrogen atom are internal, which means they do not affect the overall momentum of the system. Additionally, external forces are negligible during the collision, allowing for simplified analysis. The kinetic energy considerations are less relevant in this context, as the focus is on momentum conservation. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing atomic-scale collisions effectively.
Loppyfoot
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Which of the following...

Homework Statement



In a collision between an electron and a hydrogen atom, it is useful to select both objects as the system because:

A. The total momentum of the system does not change during the collision
B. The forces the objects exert on each other are internal to the system and don't change the total momentum of the system
C. During the time interval just before to just after the collision, external forces are negligible
D. The kinetic energy of a two-object system is nearly zero
E. The sum of the final kinetic energies must equal the sum of the initial kinetic energies for a two-object system



I am confused about this one. any ideas?
 
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I would say A.
 

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