Question

question 21 of 28 some kids are playing dodgeball, in which they throw squishy balls at each other while trying to avoid being hit themselves. assuming that the collisions between the balls are inelastic, which of the following statements is true if two balls collide with each other? a. the momentum of the system is conserved, while kinetic energy is not conserved. b. both the kinetic energy and the momentum of the system are conserved. c. the kinetic energy of the system is conserved, while momentum is not conserved. d. neither the kinetic energy nor the momentum of the system is conserved.

Explanation:

In an inelastic collision, total momentum of the system is conserved (no external forces), while kinetic energy is not (energy lost as heat/deformation).

Answer:

A. The momentum of the system is conserved, while kinetic energy is not conserved.