Questions from Modern Physics

Q: Two pieces of clay collide and stick together. During the collision

Two pieces of clay collide and stick together. During the collision, which of these statements are true? (a) Only the momentum of the clay is conserved; (b) only the mechanical energy of the clay is c...

Q: Two objects of mass M and 5M are at rest on a

Two objects of mass M and 5M are at rest on a horizontal, frictionless table with a compressed spring of negligible mass between them. When the spring is released, which of the following statements ar...

Q: A 1.20-kg piece of cheese is placed on

A 1.20-kg piece of cheese is placed on a vertical spring of negligible mass and force constant k = 1800 N/m that is compressed 15.0 cm. When the spring is released, how high does the cheese rise from...

Q: A very heavy SUV collides head-on with a very light

A very heavy SUV collides head-on with a very light compact car. Which of these statements about the collision are correct? (a) The amount of kinetic energy lost by the SUV is equal to the amount of k...

Q: Suppose you catch a baseball and then someone invites you to catch

Suppose you catch a baseball and then someone invites you to catch a bowling ball with either the same momentum or the same kinetic energy as the baseball. Which would you choose? Explain.

Q: At the highest point in its parabolic trajectory, a shell explodes

At the highest point in its parabolic trajectory, a shell explodes into two fragments. Is it possible for both fragments to fall straight down after the explosion? Why or why not?

Q: When an object breaks into two pieces (explosion, radioactive decay

When an object breaks into two pieces (explosion, radioactive decay, recoil, etc.), the lighter fragment gets more kinetic energy than the heavier one. This is a consequence of momentum conservation,...

Q: When rain falls from the sky, what happens to its momentum

When rain falls from the sky, what happens to its momentum as it hits the ground? Is your answer also valid for Newton’s famous apple?

Q: (a) If the momentum of a single point object is

(a) If the momentum of a single point object is equal to zero, must the object’s kinetic energy also be zero? (b) If the momentum of a pair of point objects is equal to zero, must the kinetic energy o...

Q: In a completely inelastic collision between two objects, where the objects

In a completely inelastic collision between two objects, where the objects stick together after the collision, is it possible for the final kinetic energy of the system to be zero? If so, give an exam...