Question

If a clay ball hits another clay ball at rest and the two balls stick together and do not move after the collision the momentum is not concerned in this collision.is this statement trur or false?

Answer 1

True

The momentum is always conserved in a collision.

momentum (p) = mass (m) x velocity (v)

conservation of momentum:

m1 v1 + m2 v2 = (m1 + m2) vf

Where:

m1 = mass1

m2= mass 2

v1= initial velocity of mass one

v2 = initial velocity of mass two = 0 m/s ( rest)

Vf = final velocity of the two balls stuck together.

m1 v1 = (m1+m2) vf

m1 v1 = 0

Since m1 and v1 are not zero the momentum is not conserved.