Question

A 4000 kg truck makes a head collision with a 1000 kg car at rest. What is the total momentum after the collision?

1) 2000 kg m/s
2) 3000 kg m/s
3) 4000 kg m/s
4) 5000 kg m/s

Answer 1

Without the initial velocity of the truck, we cannot accurately calculate the total momentum after the collision. The conservation of momentum principle is needed to solve the problem, but additional information is required to determine the momentum post-collision.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the total momentum after a collision between a 4000 kg truck and a 1000 kg car, where the car is initially at rest. To determine the total momentum after the collision, one must apply the law of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces are acting on it. Since the car is at rest before the collision, its initial momentum is zero. Therefore, the total momentum of the system after the collision will be equal to the initial momentum of the truck.

In order to provide the correct answer, we would need to know the initial velocity of the truck. If this information is not available, we cannot determine the total momentum after the collision because the initial momentum of the truck (its mass multiplied by its velocity) is unknown.