In a game of pool, the white cue ball hits the 5 ball and stops, while the 5 ball moves away with the same velocity as the cue ball had originally. The type of collision is
A) inelastic.
B) elastic.
C) elastic or inelastic, depending on the mass of the balls.
D) completely inelastic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. Since the cue ball stops and the 5 ball moves away with the same velocity, implying the same kinetic energy (assuming the balls have the same mass), this scenario describes an elastic collision.

In a Game of Pool, the White Cue Ball Hits