Question

two cars collide with each other, before the collision one car ( m=1000 kg) is going north at 20m/s and the other car (m=1200 kg) s going south at 25 m/s. what is the momentum of the system made up of the two cars after the collision

Answer 1

Momentum of system after collision, p = 10,000 kg-m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of car one, m₁ = 1000 kg

Mass of second car, m₂ = 1200 kg

The first car is going towards north and second car is going towards south.

Velocity of car one, v₁ = +20 m/s (towards north)

Velocity of second car, v₂ = - 25 m/s (towards south)

As the momentum remains conserved. So, initial momentum is equal to the final momentum. So,

`p_i=p_f=m_1v_1+m_2v_2`

`p_f=1000* 20+1200* (-25)`

`p_f=-10,000\ kg-m/s`

Hence, after collision the momentum of the system will be 10,000 kg-m/s