This is a part of my initiative - Not A Doubt :
A snowball is thrown against a wall . Where does its momentum go ? Where does its energy go ? Explain clearly .
1Its momentum gets converted to the momentum of the wall i.e. increases the velocity of the wall. But the wall (attached to earth) has such a huge mass that the velocity of the wall cannot be observed.
The energy can get converted to various forms like heat energy, sound energy etc of the wall.
1Its a partially correct answer . However , I won't tell which one is correct right now . Try to think mathematically too . I shall give the answer tonight .
1Let mass of ball be m and vel. be v. If e = 1
By conservation of momentum ....
Initial momentum of ball + wall = final momentum of ball + wall
mv + 0 = m1v1 + m2v2 + ... mnvn + 0 [since wall doesn't move ... but snowball disintegrates into particles ...]
Initial energy of the snowball constitutes to the final energy of the minute snow flakes.
If e ≠1
Σmrvr = emv if coefficient of restitution is considered ... [r=1 to n]
In this case ...
1/2 me2v2 = 1/2*Σmrvr2
Loss in energy = 1/2mv2 - 1/2me2v2 = heat energy + sound energy + other forms of energy ....
Please check if I'm right ...
1Before I give my answer Arka , could you tell me , roughly , how much energy remaines in the ball if you do not take into consideration the fact that it splits into tiny parts ? Though this doesn't change anything..........
71Assuming that the ball just comes to rest, the following could the explanation :
1.Its momentum gets converted to the momentum of the wall i.e. increases the velocity of the wall. But the wall (attached to earth) has such a huge mass that the velocity of the wall cannot be observed.
by Swordfish
2. Some part of it's momentum is also transferred to the nearby air molecules which are displaced during the course of collsion.
This question is very similar to one asked that Where does the momentum of a meteorite goes when it is falling on earth surfaces but burns away midway!
11Here conservation of linear momentum is not applicable because there is an external force that is working on the wall.........
The wall is attached to the ground...rather some part of it is under the ground....now when the snow ball hits the wall the ground exerts a normal force on the wall resisting it to move...