University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 8 - Momentum, Impulse, and Collision - Problems - Discussion Questions - Page 263: Q8.25

Answer

Statements A and D are true.

Work Step by Step

The forces between the masses during the short interaction time are much larger than any external forces, so we may treat them as an isolated system and the momentum is conserved. This is discussed on page 247. They end up with equal magnitude, oppositely-directed momentum vectors. Kinetic energy may be written as $\frac{p^2}{2m}$, so for the 2 masses with equal momentum, mass M possesses 5 times the kinetic energy of mass 5M. This principle is discussed on page 245: the ratio of kinetic energies is the inverse of the ratio of the masses.
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