Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsCentre of Mass, Linear momentum, Collision
A body travelling towards a stationary finite body collides with it. Which of the following outcomes are possible?
Options
- Aboth bodies come to rest
- Bboth bodies are in motion after the collision
- Cthe initially moving body comes to rest and the stationary body begins to move
- Dthe stationary body remains at rest while the moving body changes its velocity
Correct answer
C. the initially moving body comes to rest and the stationary body begins to move
Step-by-step solution
Let the mass of the moving body be m₁ with initial velocity u₁ 0 . Let the mass of the stationary finite body be m₂ with initial velocity u₂ = 0 . The initial momentum of the system is P_i = m₁ u₁ 0 . According to the law of conservation of linear momentum, the final momentum P_f must be equal to P_i . If both bodies come to rest, P_f = 0 , which violates the conservation of momentum. Thus, the first outcome is not possible. If the stationary body remains at rest, its change in momentum is zero, meaning no impulse