In a center-of-mass reference frame,
A)the system's kinetic energy is zero.
B)momentum is not conserved.
C)the total momentum is zero.
D)all collisions are elastic.
E)None of these is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a center-of-mass reference frame, the total momentum of the system is zero. This is because the center of mass of the system is at rest in this frame of reference. The other options are not true. The system's kinetic energy is not necessarily zero, momentum is still conserved, and collisions can still be either elastic or inelastic in this reference frame.

In a Center-Of-Mass Reference Frame