Two metal balls with the same mass hang so that they are touching each other. The ball on the left is pulled to the side and released. What will happen when it swings back and hits the ball on the right?(1 point)
A. Both balls will swing to the right.
B. Both balls will swing to the left.
C. The ball on the right will swing to the right.
D. The ball on the left will stop, and the ball on the right will remain still.
A. Both balls will swing to the right.
To answer this question, we need to understand the concept of Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
When the ball on the left is pulled to the side and then released, it will swing back towards its original position due to the force of gravity. As it swings back, it will collide with the ball on the right.
According to Newton's Third Law, as the ball on the left collides with the ball on the right, it exerts a force on the right ball in the rightward direction. In response, the right ball exerts an equal and opposite force on the left ball, pushing it in the leftward direction.
This exchange of forces causes both balls to swing in opposite directions, away from each other. Therefore, the correct answer is:
B. Both balls will swing to the left.
The correct answer is:
A. Both balls will swing to the right.
When the ball on the left is pulled to the side and released, it gains kinetic energy and starts swinging towards the right. As it swings back, it transfers some of its kinetic energy to the ball on the right through the collision. This causes the ball on the right to acquire kinetic energy and also start swinging towards the right. So, both balls will swing to the right.