Unleashing the Power of Conservation of Momentum

What happens when a small marble collides with a billiard ball initially at rest?

a) The billiard ball teleports
b) The small marble stops moving
c) The billiard ball starts moving
d) A dance-off between the two objects

Answer:

When a small marble collides with a billiard ball initially at rest, the billiard ball starts moving.

When a small marble collides with a billiard ball that is initially at rest, an interesting and fundamental principle in physics comes into play: conservation of momentum.

The principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by an external force. In this scenario, the small marble possesses momentum due to its motion. When it collides with the stationary billiard ball, some of the marble's momentum is transferred to the billiard ball.

As a result, the billiard ball starts moving. This transfer of momentum is what causes the billiard ball to begin its motion. It's like a passing of energy from one object to another.

This phenomenon highlights how momentum is conserved in interactions between objects. Understanding and applying the principle of conservation of momentum can help explain various physical phenomena and provide insights into the behavior of objects in motion.