Marla rolled a basketball into a soccer ball. The blue arrow represents the speed of the basketball as it rolled toward the soccer ball. After the collision, how did the speed of the two balls change? Note that the size of the arrow indicates the speed of the ball.

Question

(1 point)
Responses

After the collision, both balls move in the same forward direction. The basketball has a greater speed after the collision than the soccer ball.

After the collision, both balls move in the same forward direction. The basketball has a greater speed after the collision than the soccer ball.

After the collision, the basketball stops. The soccer ball moves forward with greater speed.

After the collision, the basketball stops. The soccer ball moves forward with greater speed.

After the collision, both balls move in the same forward direction. The basketball has less speed than the soccer ball.

After the collision, both balls move in the same forward direction. The basketball has less speed than the soccer ball.

After the collision, the basketball moves backward and the soccer ball moves forward. The basketball has less speed than the soccer ball.

After the collision, the basketball moves backward and the soccer ball moves forward. The basketball has less speed than the soccer ball.
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

In a collision between two balls of different sizes and potentially different masses, we must consider the principles of momentum and energy conservation.

1. If the basketball (which is heavier than a soccer ball) rolls towards the soccer ball and collides with it, the momentum and kinetic energy are redistributed upon impact.
2. It’s likely that after the collision, the soccer ball, being lighter, would gain a significant amount of speed and move forward.
3. Depending on the specifics of the collision (elastic or inelastic), the basketball's speed could decrease or the basketball could potentially stop if the forces exchanged during the collision are sufficient to transfer the momentum adequately.

Based on typical outcomes from such a collision:

The most appropriate response is:

After the collision, the basketball stops. The soccer ball moves forward with greater speed.

This response matches the expected outcome where the lighter soccer ball accelerates as a result of the momentum transferred from the faster-moving basketball.