Two metal balls with the same mass hang so that they are touching each other. The ball on the left is pulled to the side and released. What will happen when it swings back and hits the ball on the right?

Question

he ball on the left will stop, and the ball on the right will remain still.
The ball on the left will stop, and the ball on the right will remain still.

The ball on the right will swing to the right
The ball on the right will swing to the right

Both balls will swing to the right.
Both balls will swing to the right.

Both balls will swing to the left.

pick one

Answer 1

The correct answer is: The ball on the right will swing to the right.

When the ball on the left is pulled to the side and released, it will swing back and collide with the ball on the right. Since both balls have the same mass, the kinetic energy and momentum will transfer from the left ball to the right ball. The left ball will come to a stop after the collision, and the ball on the right will swing to the right.