Final answer:
When a smaller rolling ball collides with a bigger ball, momentum is conserved in the system. The bigger ball gains momentum and starts moving, while the smaller ball loses momentum and slows down. The total momentum before and after the collision remains the same, demonstrating the conservation of momentum.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a smaller rolling ball collides with a bigger ball, momentum is conserved in the system. Momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity. According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces act on it.
In this case, the smaller rolling ball transfers some of its momentum to the bigger ball upon collision. The bigger ball gains momentum and starts moving, while the smaller ball loses momentum and slows down. The total momentum before and after the collision remains the same, demonstrating the conservation of momentum.
The momentum of an object is proportional to its mass and velocity. Therefore, if a smaller rolling ball collides with a bigger ball, the bigger ball will experience a greater change in velocity compared to the smaller ball due to its larger mass. This is because the increase or decrease in momentum is divided equally between the two objects in opposite directions.