Question

Suppose a ball of mass m is thrown vertically upward with an initial speed v. Its speed decreases continuously till it becomes zero. Thereafter, the ball begins to fall downward and attains the speed v again before striking the ground. It implies that the magnitude of initial and final momentums of the ball are same. Is this an example of conservation of momentum?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B No

Law of conservation of momentum is applicable to isolated system (no external force is applied).
In this case, the change in velocity is due to the gravitational force of earth.When the ball is thrown up, negative force of gravity is applied and so the speed becomes zero.After that due to gravitational force the ball falls down with same initial velocity.