Question

Consider the situation of the previous problem. Take "the table plus the ball" as the system. friction between the table and the ball is then an internal force. As the ball slows down, the momentum of the system decreases. Which external force is responsible for this change in the momentum?

Answer 1

Considering the table plus the ball as a system, it can be said that the frictional force is responsible for the change in the momentum. As the force acts between the surface of the table and ground, it opposes the motion of the table plus the ball. Hence, the ball slows down and the momentum of the system decreases.