If a 2kg car with a momentum of 12kg m/s collides with a stationary 4kg car, the total momentum after the collision will be?
Fmpi
2 kg
To determine the total momentum after the collision, you need to understand the concept of conservation of momentum. According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum before the collision must be equal to the total momentum after the collision.
The formula for momentum is given by the equation:
Momentum = mass × velocity
In this case, the first car has a mass of 2 kg and a momentum of 12 kg m/s. To find the velocity of the first car, we can rearrange the equation:
Velocity = momentum / mass
Velocity = 12 kg m/s / 2 kg
Velocity = 6 m/s
Since the first car is colliding with a stationary (not moving) second car, the velocity of the second car is zero.
Now, we can calculate the total momentum before the collision:
Total Momentum before collision = Momentum of first car + Momentum of second car
Total Momentum before collision = (mass of first car × velocity of first car) + (mass of second car × velocity of second car)
Total Momentum before collision = (2 kg × 6 m/s) + (4 kg × 0 m/s)
Total Momentum before collision = 12 kg m/s + 0 kg m/s
Total Momentum before collision = 12 kg m/s
According to the law of conservation of momentum, this value must be equal to the total momentum after the collision.
So, the total momentum after the collision will also be 12 kg m/s.