A ball hits a horizontal spring. As the spring is compressed, the ball comes to a stop. Then the spring pushes the ball back in the direction it came. Which one of the following describes the momentum of the system? *

The momentum of the system is larger after the collision with the spring.

The momentum of the system is smaller after the collision with the spring.

The momentum of the system is conserved before and after the collision with the spring, but not during the collision.

The momentum of the system is conserved before, during, and after the collision with the spring.