Question

If a projectile hits a stationary target, and the projectile continues to travel in the same direction, the mass of the projectile is less than the mass of the target. the mass of the projectile is equal to the mass of the target. the mass of the projectile is greater than the mass of the target. nothing can be said about the masses of the projectile and target without further information. this is an unphysical situation and will not actually happen.

Answer 1

The correct arrangement of the question is;

If a projectile hits a stationary target, and the projectile continues to travel in the same direction,

A) the mass of the projectile is less than the mass of the target.

B) the mass of the projectile is equal to the mass of the target.

C) the mass of the projectile is greater than the mass of the target.

D) nothing can be said about the masses of the projectile and target without further information.

E) this is an unphysical situation and will not actually happen.

Answer:

Option C: The mass of the projectile is greater than the mass of the target.

Explanation:

We want to find what will happen when a projectile continues in motion after it hits a target.

Now, for the projectile to keep moving in that direction after it hits the target, it means it had a force bigger than the force of the target to overpower it and force it to move with it.

Now, from law of inertia, Force = ma.

But in this case acceleration is 0 because the speed of the projectile is constant.

Thus, the force depends on the mass. So for a higher force, the mass of the projectile has to be more than that of the stationary object.

Thus, option C is correct