Question

When object A collides with object B and bounces back, its final momentum is ____ its initial momentum.

a. greater than
c. in the same direction as
b. less than
d. in the opposite direction of

Answer 1

Answer : (D) " in the opposite direction of "

Explanation :

It is given that when object A collides with object B and bounces back. This shows that the collision is elastic. There are two conditions for elastic collision :

(1) The momentum remains conserved

(2) Kinetic energy is conserved.

We know that momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity. After bouncing back, the direction of velocity gets changed. So, the final momentum is in the opposite direction of its initial momentum.

So, the correct option is (D).

Answer 2

When object A collides with object B and bounces back, its final momentum is in the opposite direction of its initial momentum. The correct option among all the options that are given in the question is the last option or option "d". This type of collision is elastic in nature as the ball bounces back and so the momentum has to be in the opposite direction of the initial momentum.