Two asteroids in outer space collide and stick together. The mass of each asteroid, and the velocity of each asteroid before the impact, are known. To find the momentum of the stuck-together asteroids after the impact, what approach would be useful? (1) Use the Energy Principle. (2) Use the Momentum Principle. (3) It depends on whether or not the speed of the asteroids was near the speed of light. (4) Use the relationship among velocity, displacement, and time. (5) It depends on whether the collision was elastic or inelastic.

Question

Physics

Conway

17 December, 12:24

Two asteroids in outer space collide and stick together. The mass of each asteroid, and the velocity of each asteroid before the impact, are known. To find the momentum of the stuck-together asteroids after the impact, what approach would be useful? (1) Use the Energy Principle. (2) Use the Momentum Principle. (3) It depends on whether or not the speed of the asteroids was near the speed of light. (4) Use the relationship among velocity, displacement, and time. (5) It depends on whether the collision was elastic or inelastic.

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Answers (1)

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Sam Glover · Answer 1

(5) It depends on whether the collision was elastic or inelastic.

Explanation:

Due to the absence of external forces and the fact that masses and initial velocities are known, it is needed to determine if collision is elastic or inelastic. If collision is inelastic, the Momentum Principle is sufficient to calculate final momentum, but if it is elastic, the Momentum Principle should be complemented with the application of the Energy Principle.

Hence, the correct answer is (5).