A 1,000 kg self-driving car is traveling at 32 m/s toward a 3,500 kg self-driving pickup truck that is, in turn, moving at 11 m/s toward the car. What is the total momentum of the system of car plus truck? (Make sure to specify its direction.)
M1*V1 + M2*V2 = 1,000*(-32) + 3500*11 = -32,000 + 38,500 = 6,500 kg-m/s in the direction of the truck.
To find the total momentum of the system, we need to calculate the momentum of each object separately and then add them together.
The momentum of an object is given by the equation:
Momentum = Mass * Velocity
For the car:
Mass of the car = 1,000 kg
Velocity of the car = 32 m/s
Momentum of the car = Mass of the car * Velocity of the car
Momentum of the car = 1,000 kg * 32 m/s = 32,000 kg*m/s
The momentum of the car is 32,000 kg*m/s and it is traveling towards the truck.
For the truck:
Mass of the truck = 3,500 kg
Velocity of the truck = -11 m/s (-11 m/s indicates that it is moving in the opposite direction)
Momentum of the truck = Mass of the truck * Velocity of the truck
Momentum of the truck = 3,500 kg * -11 m/s = -38,500 kg*m/s
The momentum of the truck is -38,500 kg*m/s and it is also traveling towards the car.
To find the total momentum of the system, we add the momentum of the car and the momentum of the truck.
Total momentum = Momentum of the car + Momentum of the truck
Total momentum = 32,000 kg*m/s + (-38,500 kg*m/s) = -6,500 kg*m/s
Therefore, the total momentum of the system (car plus truck) is -6,500 kg*m/s, indicating that the system is moving in the direction opposite to that of the car.