A cue stick has a mass of 0.5 kg. The cue stick hits a ball with a mass of 0.2 kg at a velocity of 2.5 m/s. What is the velocity of the ball after it is hit? (1 point)
Responses
3.6 m/s
3.6 m/s
2.5 m/s
2.5 m/s
6.3 m/s
6.3 m/s
8.3 m/
To solve this problem, we can use the principle of conservation of momentum. Momentum is defined as the product of an object's mass and velocity.
The momentum of the cue stick before the collision can be calculated as mass_cue_stick * velocity_cue_stick = 0.5 kg * 2.5 m/s = 1.25 kg * m/s.
The momentum of the ball before the collision can be calculated as mass_ball * velocity_ball = 0.2 kg * 0 m/s (since it is initially at rest) = 0 kg * m/s.
The total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. Therefore:
(total momentum before) = (total momentum after)
1.25 kg * m/s = (0.5 kg + 0.2 kg) * v
Simplifying this equation, we get:
v = (1.25 kg * m/s) / (0.7 kg)
v ≈ 1.786 m/s
Therefore, the velocity of the ball after it is hit is approximately 1.786 m/s.