Question

Is the momentum of the rail car+bowling balls system conserved in this condition?

• A. Yes, the momentum is completely conserved.
• B. Only the momentum component in the vertical direction is conserved.
• C. Only the momentum component parallel to the track is conserved.
• D. No components are conserved

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Only the momentum component parallel to the track is conserved.

Only the momentum component parallel to the track is conserved, as there is an external force in this direction. Component of momentum in the vertical direction is not conserved as gravitational force is there.