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/s
To solve this problem, we can use the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.
Before the collision, the total momentum is the sum of the momentum of the cue stick and the ball. The momentum of an object is given by the product of its mass and velocity. So the total momentum before the collision is:
Initial momentum = (0.5 kg)(2.5 m/s) + (0.2 kg)(0 m/s)
Initial momentum = 1.25 kg*m/s
After the collision, the cue stick will stop moving so its momentum will be 0. The momentum of the ball will be equal to the total momentum after the collision.
Final momentum = (0.5 kg + 0.2 kg) * v
Using the conservation of momentum principle:
Initial momentum = Final momentum
1.25 kg*m/s = (0.7 kg) * v
v = 1.25 kg*m/s / 0.7 kg
v = 1.79 m/s
So the velocity of the ball after being hit by the cue stick is approximately 1.79 m/s.
Therefore, the closest option provided in the responses would be 2.5 m/s.