Question

The total momentum of a system of two moving identical bodies is zero.

What should be true about the velocities of the bodies?

(1 point)
Responses

The velocities should be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
The velocities should be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Both velocities should be zero.
Both velocities should be zero.

The velocities should be equal in direction and opposite in magnitude.
The velocities should be equal in direction and opposite in magnitude.

Both velocities should be different in magnitude and direction.

Answer 1

The velocities should be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Reason: For identical masses m, total momentum m(v1+v2)=0 ⇒ v1+v2=0 ⇒ v2 = −v1.