Question

Spaceship 1 and Spaceship 2 have equal masses of 300kg. They collide. Spaceship 1's final speed is 3 m/s, and Spaceship 2's final speed is 2 m/s in the same direction. What is their combined momentum? A. 600 kg-m/s B. 1,500 kg-m/s C. 1,200 kg-m/s D. 900 kg-m/s

Answer 1

B. 1500 kg*m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Momentum p = m* v

In any type of collision, the total momentum is preserved!

The total momentum before and the total momentum after the collision is the same. We know the mass and speed after the collision so we can calculate the total momentum.

p1 + p2 =

m1*v1 + m2*v2

m1 = me = 300 kg

v1 = 3 m/s

v2 = 2 m/s

Substitute the given numbers:

300*3 + 300+2

900 + 600

1500 kg*m/s, which is answer B.