In a closed system, the principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before a collision must equal the total momentum after the collision, assuming no external forces are acting on the system.
Before the collision:
- The momentum of the 3 kg ball is 24 kg·m/s.
- The 1 kg ball is at rest, so its momentum is 0 kg·m/s.
Total initial momentum = 24 kg·m/s + 0 kg·m/s = 24 kg·m/s.
After the collision, the momentum of each ball may change depending on the nature of the collision (elastic or inelastic), but the total momentum of the system must remain the same at 24 kg·m/s.
Thus, the correct response is:
The momentum of each ball changes, and the total momentum stays the same.
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