A small car meshes with a large truck in a head-on collision. Which of the following statements concerning the magnitude of the momentum change during the collision is correct? a) The small car and the truck experience the same magnitude momentum change. b) The small car experiences the greater magnitude momentum change. c) The magnitude of the momentum change experienced by each one is directly proportional to its mass. d) The truck experiences the greater magnitude momentum change. e) The magnitude of the momentum change experienced by each one is inversely proportional to its mass.

Question

Physics

Alexia Hampton

18 March, 00:55

A small car meshes with a large truck in a head-on collision. Which of the following statements concerning the magnitude of the momentum change during the collision is correct? a) The small car and the truck experience the same magnitude momentum change. b) The small car experiences the greater magnitude momentum change. c) The magnitude of the momentum change experienced by each one is directly proportional to its mass. d) The truck experiences the greater magnitude momentum change. e) The magnitude of the momentum change experienced by each one is inversely proportional to its mass.

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Answers (1)

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Patience Powell · Answer 1

A) The small car and the truck experience the same magnitude momentum change.

Explanation:

From the conservation of momentum, whatever magnitude of momentum is lost by one of the vehicles will be gained by the other vehicle and momentum will be conserved. For example if the small car losses a momentum with a magnitude of 10 kg. m/s, the large truck will gain a momentum with a magnitude of 10 kg. m/s and hence the momentum is conserved.

In summary, the small car and the truck experience the same magnitude momentum change.