130k views
5 votes
Marble 1 is 5 grams. It is rolling towards marble 2 at a speed of 5 cm/s. Marble 2 is NOT moving and is

also 5 grams. Marble 1 hits marble 2. Marble I stops moving and marble 2 begins to move How fast is
marble 2 moving?

User GAgnew
by
5.5k points

1 Answer

3 votes
In order to work out this question, we must know the momentum of the marbles.

Marble 1 momentum:
Momentum1 = mass * velocity
Momentum1 = 5 * 5
Momentum1 = 25g cm/s.

Marble 2 momentum:
Momentum2 = mass * velocity
Momentum2 = 5 * 0
Momentum2 = 0g cm/s

Therefore, the total momentum of the marbles is equal to 25g cm/s.

Momentum is ALWAYS conserved in a collision! Meaning, the momentum before and after the marbles hit must be equal. Since marble 1 comes to a complete rest and there is no mention of a change in mass, Marble 2’s velocity must equal 5m/s due to conservation of momentum!

:)
User Butifarra
by
6.2k points