Question

A billiards ball rolling on the table has momentum p1. It hits another stationary ball, which then starts rolling. Considering friction to be negligible, what will happen to the momentum of the first ball?

a) Momentum remains the same
b) Momentum increases
c) Momentum decreases
d) Momentum becomes zero

Answer 1

The momentum of the first billiards ball decreases as it transfers some or all of its momentum to the second ball due to the conservation of momentum.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a billiards ball rolling on the table with momentum p1 hits another stationary ball, the momentum of the first ball will change. In an isolated system where friction is negligible, the law of conservation of momentum applies. According to this principle, the total momentum before and after the collision must remain constant.

Therefore, when the first ball strikes the second stationary ball, some or all of its momentum is transferred to the second ball. As a result, the momentum of the first ball decreases (p'1 < p1) and the momentum of the second ball increases from zero to p'2.