Two particles A and B of masses m1 and m2 are moving 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 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 is conserved in an elastic collision about the center of mass.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: Two particles A and B of masses m1 and m2 are moving 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 is conserved in an elastic collision about the center of mass.
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: Recognize that angular momentum is a measure of the rotational motion of a system. It depends on the position of the particles relative to the center of mass.
Step 4: Recall that in a closed system (like our two particles), the total angular momentum about the center of mass remains constant if no external torques are acting on it.
Step 5: Conclude that since the collision is elastic and no external forces are acting, the angular momentum of the system about the center of mass is conserved.
