Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsCentre of Mass, Linear momentum, Collision
During a collision, the quantities that remain constant are
Options
- Amomentum and temperature, but not kinetic energy
- Bmomentum and kinetic energy, but not temperature
- Cmomentum, kinetic energy, and temperature
- Dmomentum, but neither kinetic energy nor temperature
Correct answer
D. momentum, but neither kinetic energy nor temperature
Step-by-step solution
According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of an isolated system remains constant during any type of collision (elastic or inelastic), provided no external force acts on it. Kinetic energy is not conserved in inelastic collisions, as a portion of it is converted into other forms of energy such as heat, sound, or internal energy. Even in perfectly elastic collisions, kinetic energy is not constant during the actual time of impact because some of it is temporarily converted into elastic pote