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)

Question

A. • The system does not have any external forces.
B. • The soccer balls exert forces on each other when they collide.
C. • The system has external forces, such as friction and air resistance, acting on it.
D. • The soccer balls each have a different momentum after the collision than before the collision.

Answer 1

The correct statement is:

C. • 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. While momentum is conserved in a closed system with no external forces, the presence of external forces like friction and air resistance can affect the overall momentum measurement.