A moving bumper car hits the back bumper of a stationary bumper car. The momentum of the stationary car increases. Which happens to the momentum of the moving bumper car?
-it decreases
-it stays the same
-it is converted to inertia

Question

A moving bumper car hits the back bumper of a stationary bumper car. The momentum of the stationary car increases. Which happens to the momentum of the moving bumper car?
-it decreases
-it stays the same
-it is converted to inertia

theeric · Answer

Hello! Think "conservation of momentum." Any ideas?

theeric · Answer

@JC9977002 ?

anonymous · Answer

ex:For a collision occurring between object 1 and object 2 in an isolated system, the total momentum of the two objects before the collision is equal to the total momentum of the two objects after the collision. That is, the momentum lost by object 1 is equal to the momentum gained by object 2?

anonymous · Answer

does it stay the same ?

theeric · Answer

Yeah!

And momentum is mass times velocity. Since mass is constant, then a momentum change means velocity changes. So, that bumper car's momentum changes. So it gains velocity. So it moves. Maybe that will help you see the situation!

So, there is collision between two cars. One is stationary and moves - it gains momentum. Momentum is constant - the same before and after. So, if one car's momentum $\sf increases$, the other car's momentum must _______.

anonymous · Answer

Decreases ?

theeric · Answer

Can you tell me why you think so?

anonymous · Answer

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