two cars collide with each other. before the collision, one car (m=1300 kg) is going north at 30 m/s and the other car (m=900 kg) is going south at 15 m/s. what is the momentum of the system made up of the two cars after the collision?

a. 25,500 kg-m/s north

b. 52,500 kg-m/s south

c. 25,500 kg-m/s south

d. 52,500 kg-m/s north

Question

two cars collide with each other. before the collision, one car (m=1300 kg) is going north at 30 m/s and the other car (m=900 kg) is going south at 15 m/s. what is the momentum of the system made up of the two cars after the collision?

a. 25,500 kg-m/s north

b. 52,500 kg-m/s south

c. 25,500 kg-m/s south

d. 52,500 kg-m/s north

anonymous · Answer

law of conservation of momentum: here is the equation:
m1u1+m2u2=m1v1+m2v2 another important law:F1=-F2 [NEWTONS 3RD LAW OF motion about reaction force] the answer is:b)52,500 kg-m/s south,if the first car with previous velocity 30m/s and mass 1300kg collides with the car which has a lower velocity and mass.the resultant reaction force is equal and opposite of each other.the first one is heading from north to south..2nd one is heading south.after collision they will go south.