combined momentum/kinetic energy?
A) Is it possible for two objects of masses 2.0 kg and 4.0 kg to be moving in such a way that their combined momentum is zero, but their combined kinetic energy is not zero? If yes, give an example of velocities that satisfy both conditions simultaneously. If not, why not?
B) Is it possible for two objects of masses 2.0 kg and 4.0 kg to be moving in such a way that their combined kinetic energy is zero, but their combined momentum is not zero? If yes, give an example of velocities that satisfy both conditions simultaneously. If not, why not? Make an convincing mathematical argument.
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momentum is a vector.
if you make the objects move in opposite directions,you can make the momentum zero.
for example:move 2kg from a velocity of 4 to the left & 4kg from a velocity of 2 to the right.
take right as the direction where momentum is considered positive.& if you write expression for the combined mom,you get zero as your answer.energy is a scaler,so it doesnt have a direction.so you can never make the combined energy zero.so A can happen but B cannot.