---
title: "A small projectile of mass \\(m\\) is launched horizontally with speed \\(v_0\\) toward a block of mass \\(M\\) suspended at rest from a ceiling by light vertical cords of length \\(L\\). In Trial 1, the block has mass \\(M_1\\), and in Trial 2, the block has mass \\(M_2\\), where \\(M_2 > M_1\\). In each trial, the projectile embeds itself into the block during a negligible collision interval before the cords swing away from the vertical. Which of the following correctly identifies whether the horizontal linear momentum of the projectile-block system is conserved during the collision, and which trial results in a greater fraction of the projectile’s initial kinetic energy being converted into non-mechanical energy?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120746/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T04:42:57+00:00"
---

# A small projectile of mass \(m\) is launched horizontally with speed \(v_0\) toward a block of mass \(M\) suspended at rest from a ceiling by light vertical cords of length \(L\). In Trial 1, the block has mass \(M_1\), and in Trial 2, the block has mass \(M_2\), where \(M_2 > M_1\). In each trial, the projectile embeds itself into the block during a negligible collision interval before the cords swing away from the vertical. Which of the following correctly identifies whether the horizontal linear momentum of the projectile-block system is conserved during the collision, and which trial results in a greater fraction of the projectile’s initial kinetic energy being converted into non-mechanical energy?

A small projectile of mass \(m\) is launched horizontally with speed \(v_0\) toward a block of mass \(M\) suspended at rest from a ceiling by light vertical cords of length \(L\). In Trial 1, the block has mass \(M_1\), and in Trial 2, the block has mass \(M_2\), where \(M_2 > M_1\). In each trial, the projectile embeds itself into the block during a negligible collision interval before the cords swing away from the vertical. Which of the following correctly identifies whether the horizontal linear momentum of the projectile-block system is conserved during the collision, and which trial results in a greater fraction of the projectile's initial kinetic energy being converted into non-mechanical energy?

![A horizontal ceiling line at the top with hatch marks above it. Two vertical dashed lines hang downward from the ceiling, supporting a rectangular block labeled M at rest. To the left of the block, a small circular projectile of mass m is shown with a horizontal rightward arrow labeled v_0 pointing directly toward the center of the block. A dashed horizontal line indicates the path of the projectile aligned with the center of mass of the block. The vertical length of the suspension lines is labeled L. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787460177-PR6lET.jpg)

- **A.** Horizontal linear momentum is not conserved; a greater fraction is converted in Trial 1.
- **B.** Horizontal linear momentum is not conserved; a greater fraction is converted in Trial 2.
- **C.** Horizontal linear momentum is conserved; a greater fraction is converted in Trial 1.
- **D.** Horizontal linear momentum is conserved; a greater fraction is converted in Trial 2.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120746/*