Suppose M m. The large mass M (initially in motion) strikes the body of mass m, initially at rest. After the collision, M could never (with respect to the lab)
A) reverse its direction, traveling at roughly its initial speed.
B) cause m to rebound, with M glancing off at roughly 90 degrees to the original direction.
C) continue approximately forward with roughly the original speed.
D) impart to m a speed roughly equal to that originally present in M.

Question

Suppose M > m. The large mass M (initially in motion) strikes the body of mass m, initially at rest. After the collision, M could never (with respect to the lab)
A) reverse its direction, traveling at roughly its initial speed.
B) cause m to rebound, with M glancing off at roughly 90 degrees to the original direction.
C) continue approximately forward with roughly the original speed.
D) impart to m a speed roughly equal to that originally present in M.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a collision where M > m, the conservation of momentum dictates that the larger mass M cannot reverse its direction while conserving momentum and energy if it is initially moving and collides with a smaller mass m at rest. This is because the momentum of the system must be conserved, and for M to reverse direction, it would require an external force not accounted for in the collision dynamics.

Suppose M > M