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

Responses

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 soccer balls exert forces on each other when they collide.
The soccer balls exert forces on each other when they collide.

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 system does not have any external forces.

Answer 1

The correct explanation for why the total momentum of the soccer balls before and after the collision may not be the same is:

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

In an isolated system without external forces, the law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before a collision should equal the total momentum after the collision. However, if there are external forces, like friction from the ground and air resistance, they can affect the momentum of the soccer balls, causing a difference in the total momentum before and after the collision.