A small rock bounces off the windshield of a moving car and experiences a large change in velocity. How does the car’s momentum change?(1 point)
Responses
It does not change.
It does not change.
It has a change in momentum greater than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a change in momentum greater than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a much smaller change in momentum than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a much smaller change in momentum than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
The correct answer is: It has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
The correct answer is:
It has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
To understand why this is the case, we need to recognize a fundamental principle in physics known as the law of conservation of momentum. According to this law, the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces are acting on it.
In this scenario, we have a small rock bouncing off the windshield of a moving car. Both the rock and the car are part of the same system. When the rock hits the windshield, it experiences a change in velocity, which means it also undergoes a change in momentum.
Due to the law of conservation of momentum, the change in momentum of the rock must be offset by an equal and opposite change in momentum of the car. This means that the car's momentum changes in the opposite direction to that of the rock.
Hence, the car has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, but in the opposite direction.