Consider the situation in which three identical spheres of clay are launched simultaneously, one along each possible path. All three spheres of clay are launched with the same initial linear speed and collide with the rod at the same time. The time of collision with the rod for each sphere is time t0. Which of the following predictions is correct about the motion of the system containing the rod and all three spheres of clay immediately after the collision?
a. The system will rotate in the clockwise direction with a constant angular speed.
b. The system will rotate in the counterclockwise direction with a constant angular speed.
c. The system will rotate in the clockwise direction with a changing angular speed.
d. The system will rotate in the counterclockwise direction with a changing angular speed.