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)
Responses
The ball on the left will stop, and the ball on the right will remain still.
The ball on the left will stop, and the ball on the right will remain still.
Both balls will swing to the right.
Both balls will swing to the right.
The ball on the right will swing to the right.
The ball on the right will swing to the right.
Both balls will swing to the left.
Both balls will swing to the left.
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The scenario described is similar to a classic physics demonstration involving momentum and energy conservation known as Newton's cradle. When the ball on the left is pulled to the side and released, it swings back with a certain momentum. Upon hitting the stationary ball (the ball on the right), it transfers its momentum to that ball.
Since both balls are of the same mass and assuming an elastic collision (where kinetic energy and momentum are conserved), the ball on the left will stop, and the ball on the right will swing to the right with approximately the same speed that the first ball had when it hit.
Therefore, the correct response is:
The ball on the right will swing to the right.