Chapter 3.3, Problem 2aT

A. Suppose that glider D is free to move and glider C rebounds.

1. In the spaces provided, draw separate free-body diagrams for each glider and for thesystem of the two gliders, system S, at an instant during the collision.

Which forces in your free-body diagrams for glider C and glider D do not have corresponding forces on the free-body diagram for system S?

2. The momentum of a system containing multiple objects can be defined to be the sum of the momenta of the constituent objects.

Use this definition to write an expression for the change in momentum of system S in terms of the change in momentum of glider C and of glider D.

3. Does the momentum of each of the following change during the collision? Explain how you can tell.

• glider C
• glider D
• system S

Are your answers consistent with your free-body diagrams and the direction of the net force in each case? If not, resolve any inconsistencies.

4. How, if at all, would your answer about the change in momentum of system S differ if glider D were replaced by a much more massive glider? Explain.