Question

The space shuttle, in circular orbit around the Earth, collides with a small asteroid which ends up in the shuttle’s storage bay. For this collision,

(a) only momentum is conserved.

(b) only kinetic energy is conserved.

(c) both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

(d) neither momentum nor kinetic energy is conserved.

Short answer

The correct option is (a) momentum is conserved.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding elastic and inelastic collisions of a space shuttle and an asteroid

Suppose a space shuttle and small asteroids collide with each other. Then there is some loss of energy. This type of collision can be termed an inelastic collision.

If both space shuttle and small asteroid get separated after their collision, then this type of collision comes under elastic collision.

Determination of the type of collision

A space shuttle moving in an orbit revolves around the Earth. Then, it collides with an asteroid. The asteroids end up in the storage bay of the shuttle. So, both have the same values of the final speed.

This type of collision comes under inelastic collision. Only the momentum remains conserved in this collision, but the kinetic energy is lost during the collision. So, the kinetic energy is not conserved.

Determination of correct option

Option (a) can be the correct option because the momentum of the system is conserved.

Option (b) is incorrect because the kinetic energy is not conserved.

Option (c) is incorrect because the kinetic energy is not conserved as only the momentum is conserved.

Option (d) is incorrect because only kinetic energy is not conserved.

Hence, the correct option is (a) momentum is conserved from the above analysis of options.