Conservation of Angular Momentum in a Collision
Two asteroids of equal mass approach each other. Relative to their common center of mass, one asteroid has angular momentum, while the other moves directly toward the center of mass. After the asteroids collide and stick together, the combined system has non-zero angular momentum. Which of the following statements best explains this outcome?
A
Rotational kinetic energy converted to angular momentum
B
Angular momentum is always conserved in collisions
C
The collision created angular momentum from nothing
D
Total angular momentum is conserved if no external torque acts
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