Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsCentre of Mass, Linear momentum, Collision
A ball strikes a floor and rebounds following an inelastic collision. In this situation,
Options
- Athe combined total energy of the ball and the earth remains constant
- Bthe combined momentum of the ball and the earth is conserved
- Cthe mechanical energy of the ball is conserved during the collision
- Dthe momentum of the ball immediately after the collision is identical to that immediately before
Correct answer
B. the combined momentum of the ball and the earth is conserved
Step-by-step solution
The ball and the earth constitute an isolated system as no external forces act on them. According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of an isolated system remains conserved. Therefore, the combined momentum of the ball and the earth is conserved. According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy of an isolated system is always conserved. In an inelastic collision, some mechanical energy is converted into other forms of energy such as heat and sound, but the combined total ener