An egg falls from a bird's nest in a tree and feels no effects due to the air.As it falls,
A)only its kinetic energy is conserved.
B)only its momentum is conserved.
C)both its kinetic energy and its momentum are conserved.
D)only its mechanical energy is conserved.
E)both its mechanical energy and its momentum are conserved.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the absence of air resistance, only mechanical energy (potential energy + kinetic energy) is conserved during the fall. Momentum is not conserved unless the system is isolated and there are no external forces, which is not the case here due to gravity acting on the egg.

An Egg Falls from a Bird's Nest in a Tree