Question

Two objects of the same mass move towards each other at the same constant speed. What can be said of the momentum of each object?

Answer 1

Equal and opposite

Step-by-step explanation:

Momentum is equal to mass times velocity.

p = mv

Both objects have the same speed but opposite directions, so the velocities are opposite.

v₁ = v

v₂ = -v

Both objects have the same mass.

m₁ = m₂ = m

Therefore, both objects have equal and opposite momentums.

p₁ = mv

p₂ = -mv

p₁ = -p₂