Five Billiard Balls Are in Contact and at Rest on a Wire

question 16

Multiple Choice

Five billiard balls are in contact and at rest on a wire that passes through their centers. Two billiard balls are slammed into one end of the row of five at a velocity . If the balls are free to slide but not roll and if the collision is elastic, which of the following is most likely to take place?

• A) One ball at each end goes off with a speed v.
• B) One ball on the side opposite the striking balls goes off with a speed of 2v.
• C) The five balls move off together with a speed of 2v/5.
• D) Two balls on the side opposite the striking balls go off with a speed of v.
• E) None of these will occur.

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