A piece of putty moving with 2 units of momentum strikes and sticks to a heavy bowling ball that is initially at rest. After the putty stick to the ball, both are set in motion with a combined momentum that is
A. less than 2 units
B. 2 units
C. more than 2 units
D. There is not enough information to say.
The same amount of momentum is 2 units whether it is the putty or the putty stuck to the bowling ball. Think in terms of the laws of motion when considering this momentum. Remember momentum is defined as the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity (speed in a certain direction).