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Observations: Ball #1 hits ball #2 and comes to rest. Balls
#2, #3, and #4 remain nearly at rest, nearly at their original
positions. Ball #5 goes flying.
Analysis: To a good approximation:
-- All of the rightward momentum initially in ball #1 is transferred
out of ball #1, which is a big net loss of rightward momentum for
that ball.
-- Rightward momentum flows /through/ balls #2, #3, and #4 with no
net gain or loss of momentum for those balls.
-- Rightward momentum flows into ball #5, which is a big net gain of
rightward momentum for that ball.
Note that the direction of flow is distinct from the direction of
momentum. A /push/ is a rightward flow of rightward momentum, or
(equivalently) a leftward flow of leftward momentum. In contrast,
a /pull/ would be a rightward flow of leftward momentum, or a
leftward flow of rightward momentum.