Two students perform an experiment with soccer balls. They kick two soccer balls so that they collide. They measure the total momentum of the two soccer balls before and after the collision. Which statement explains why the total momentum of the soccer balls before and after the collision may not be the same?(1 point) Responses The system has external forces, such as friction and air resistance, acting on it. The system has external forces, such as friction and air resistance, acting on it. The soccer balls exert forces on each other when they collide. The soccer balls exert forces on each other when they collide. The soccer balls each have a different momentum after the collision than before the collision. The soccer balls each have a different momentum after the collision than before the collision. The system does not have any external forces.

1 answer

The correct response is: The system has external forces, such as friction and air resistance, acting on it.

This statement explains why the total momentum of the soccer balls before and after the collision may not be the same, as external forces can affect the momentum of the system. In an ideal closed system with no external forces, momentum would be conserved. However, in this scenario, factors like friction with the ground and air resistance can lead to a change in momentum.