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Thinking About the Question


When two objects hit, is the force on one the same as the force on the other?

Suppose two identical balls bounce off of each other. Does each one experience the same force? Will they each bounce off with the same velocity they started with? Explain your reasoning in Notes on your handheld computer.

In your group, predict and explain what happens when two objects with different masses, like a heavy and a light ball or a heavy truck and a small car collide. Is the force on each one the same? What is the resulting motion of each object? Write or draw in Notes on your handheld computer your ideas about what might explain your predictions.

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