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Which of the following systems described below is IMPOSSIBLE?

1. A system in which the total momentum is not zero, but the total kinetic energy is zero.
2. A system in which the total momentum is zero, but the total kinetic energy is not zero.
3. A system in which both the total momentum and the total kinetic energy are zero.
4. A system in which both the total momentum and the total kinetic energy are not zero.

total momentum: m1 v1 + m2 v2 + ..
total kinetic energy: 1/2[ m1 v1^2 + m2 v2^2 + ...]
if there is momentum some of the v’s have non-zero values and their squares in the kinetic energy eqtn are non-zero too. 1 is impossible

2 Responses

1. joy Says:
   February 20th, 2010 at 1:19 pm

   only 3. is correct as per formulae…….
   References :

2. troutfisher Says:
   February 20th, 2010 at 1:46 pm

   total momentum: m1 v1 + m2 v2 + ..
   total kinetic energy: 1/2[ m1 v1^2 + m2 v2^2 + ...]
   if there is momentum some of the v’s have non-zero values and their squares in the kinetic energy eqtn are non-zero too. 1 is impossible
   References :

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