Question

There are two external forces acting on a system of particles. Select the correct statement.

(a) Linear momentum is necessarily not conserved

(b) Linear momentum may be conserved

(c) Linear momentum is zero

(d) Centre of mass will move with increasing speed

This question was posed to me in a job interview.

I want to ask this question from Linear Momentum of a System of Particles in chapter System of Particles and Rotational Motion of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Linear momentum may be conserved

For explanation I would say: The two forces acting on the body may or may not have a net vector sum of zero, depending on which linear momentum may or may not be conserved. Thus, the option ‘linear momentum may be conserved’ is correct.