Question

magnitude and direction of force quick check
a soccer ball is traveling downfield with a force of 1.2 kn and strikes another soccer ball that is stationary. which of the following describes the result of the collision? (1 point)
○ the stationary soccer ball will begin moving downfield and the ball that struck it will accelerate.
○ the stationary soccer ball will begin moving upfield and the ball that struck it will slow down.
○ the stationary soccer ball will begin moving downfield and the ball that struck it will slow down.
○ neither ball will move after impact.

Explanation:

When a moving object (the first soccer ball with a force of 1.2 kN moving downfield) collides with a stationary object (the second soccer ball), according to the principles of momentum transfer and Newton's laws of motion, the stationary object will gain the momentum (and thus start moving) in the direction of the moving object (downfield). The moving object will experience a force opposite to its motion (from the collision), causing it to slow down (lose momentum).

• The first option is wrong because the striking ball should slow down, not accelerate.
• The second option is wrong as the stationary ball should move in the direction of the striking ball (downfield), not upfield.
• The fourth option is wrong because momentum is transferred, so the stationary ball will move.

Answer:

The stationary soccer ball will begin moving downfield and the ball that struck it will slow down.