A 1,400 kg compact car rear-ends a 2,000 kg truck. Which vehicle experiences the larger momentum change from the collision?

The large truck has the larger momentum change.

The small car has the larger momentum change.

Neither vehicle experiences a momentum change.

They both have the same nonzero momentum change.

Question

A 1,400 kg compact car rear-ends a 2,000 kg truck. Which vehicle experiences the larger momentum change from the collision?

       The large truck has the larger momentum change.

       The small car has the larger momentum change.

       Neither vehicle experiences a momentum change.

        They both have the same nonzero momentum change.

anonymous · Answer

They both have the same nonzero momentum change

jamesj · Answer

this question is slightly odd, in as much as yes, the momentum for both changes by the same absolute amount. But one increases (truck) and the other decreases!

anonymous · Answer

I agree with you @JamesJ I think the question is just trying to get at conservation of momentum