Two particles A and B of masses m1 and m2 are moving in a straight line with velocities v1 and v2 respectively. If they collide elastically, which of the following statements is true regarding their angular momentum about the center of mass?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Two particles A and B of masses m1 and m2 are moving in a straight line with velocities v1 and v2 respectively. If they collide elastically, which of the following statements is true regarding their angular momentum about the center of mass?
It is conserved
It is not conserved
Depends on the masses
Depends on the velocities
Angular momentum about the center of mass is conserved in an elastic collision.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: Two particles A and B of masses m1 and m2 are moving in a straight line with velocities v1 and v2 respectively. If they collide elastically, which of the following statements is true regarding their angular momentum about the center of mass?
Solution: Angular momentum about the center of mass is conserved in an elastic collision.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand what an elastic collision is. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
Step 2: Identify the center of mass (COM) of the two particles A and B. The center of mass is the point where the total mass of the system can be considered to be concentrated.
Step 3: Recall the definition of angular momentum. Angular momentum is a measure of the rotational motion of an object about a point, in this case, the center of mass.
Step 4: Recognize that in a closed system (like our two particles), the total angular momentum before the collision is equal to the total angular momentum after the collision.
Step 5: Conclude that since the collision is elastic and the system is closed, the angular momentum about the center of mass is conserved.
