Collisions between Objects with Different Masses
Many collisions involve objects with different
masses. We know that each ball in the collision
shown will experience an equal and opposite force.
From Newton's second law, we know that the
acceleration of an object depends on its mass and
the applied force. How will that relationship affect a
collision between two objects with different masses?
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Aglass marble collides with a steel ball. Both have the same
dimensions, but the steel ball has a greater mass
7. Which of the statements are true about the collision of two objects with different
masses based on Newton's laws of motion?
A. Each object experiences an equal and opposite force.
B. The more massive object will exert a greater force on the less massive object.
C. Each object will accelerate in an opposite direction from the other but at a
different rate.
D. The less massive object will accelerate due to the force of the collision, but the
more massive object will not.
Lesson 4 Engineer It: Collisions between Objects 73