In an elastic collision between two bodies of equal mass, one moving and one at rest
- A. they stick together
- B. the moving body stops and the stationary one moves off with the original velocity
- C. both move off at half the original velocity
- D. the moving body rebounds
Explanation
Conserving both momentum and kinetic energy for equal masses gives a complete exchange of velocities, which is what makes the Newton's cradle behave as it does and why a cue ball stops dead on a full head on strike. Sticking together would violate energy conservation for an elastic collision. Both moving off at half speed conserves momentum but not kinetic energy.
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