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?

Question

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?

O Both balls will swing to the right.
O Both balls will swing to the left.
O The ball on the right will swing to the right.
O The ball on the left will stop, and the ball on the right will remain still.

Answer 1

Both balls will swing to the right. When the ball on the left is pulled and released, it gains potential energy due to its displacement from the equilibrium position. As it swings back, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. When it collides with the ball on the right, some of this kinetic energy is transferred to the second ball, causing it to swing in the same direction. The momentum and energy transfer results in both balls swinging to the right.