Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
C)Both satellites have momentum before they connect, and afterwards they have less momentum.
In physics, the law of conservation of momentum states that the momentum of an isolated system remains constant, unless acted upon by an external force. When two objects interact, the total momentum of the system before the interaction is equal to the total momentum of the system after the interaction.
When two satellites connect, their momentum can be considered as a closed system, meaning no external forces act upon them, and the total momentum of the system is conserved. This means that the total momentum of the two satellites before they connect is equal to the total momentum of the two satellites after they connect.
It is important to consider that when two objects connect, the kinetic energy of the system increases due to the relative motion of the two objects. This increase in kinetic energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat, sound, and deformation. So the two satellites, even though they are now connected, will have less momentum and less kinetic energy due to these conversions.
Option D, that is momentum is not conserved when the two satellites connect, is incorrect as the law of conservation of momentum applies to isolated systems, and if no external force acted upon the two satellite the total momentum of the system must remain constant.