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A particle of mass M is moving in a horizontal circle of radius R with uniform speed v. When it moves from one point to a diametrically opposite point, its

Asked in NEET 1992 · Change of kinetic energy and momentum

Answer: (3) momentum changes by 2Mv

Step-by-step solution

Given: uniform circular motion of speed v; compare two diametrically opposite points.

Idea: speed decides the kinetic energy, but momentum is a vector and carries the direction too.

At the first point take ⃗p₁=Mv along the tangent; half a turn later the tangent has reversed, so ⃗p₂=-Mv.

Δ⃗p=⃗p₂-⃗p₁=-Mv-Mv, of magnitude 2Mv.

The kinetic energy is 1/2Mv² at both points, so it does not change.

Momentum changes by 2Mv.

Why the other options are wrong

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