Question

In an experiment to observe the conservation of momentum, students throw a 10kg clay ball with a velocity of 30 m/s at a stationary block. The clay sticks to the block, and they move together with a velocity of 8 m/s to the right across a rough surface. The students think that momentum is lost during the collision. What concept explains their misconception?

A) Conservation of momentum
B) Impulse
C) Newton's First Law
D) Friction

Answer 1

The misconception that momentum is lost can be explained by the Conservation of Momentum, which must take into account external forces like friction that can change the system's total momentum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept that explains the misconception that momentum is lost when the 10kg clay ball sticks to a stationary block and moves together with a velocity of 8 m/s is Conservation of Momentum. The students have failed to consider that the total system momentum before and after the collision should be the same in the absence of external forces. When external forces like friction are present, it may appear that momentum is not conserved. However, what actually happens is that the external force exerts an impulse on the system, changing its total momentum. It's important to consider both the clay ball and the block as a single system when applying the conservation of momentum principle.