In an isolated system, bicycle 1 and bicycle 2, each with a mass of 30 kg, collide. bicycle 1 was moving to the right at 2 m/s, while bicycle 2 was moving to the left at 4 m/s. what is the magnitude of their combined momentum before the crash?

60-kg - m/s APEX verified

Momentum is generally defined as mass in motion. Therefore, every mass in motion has momentum. Momentum is related to mass and motion. As the mass and/or speed increases, momentum increases. Additionally, momentum is a vector quantity and depends on the direction of motion.

Mathematically;

Momentum = mass*velocity

In the current case:

m1 = m2 = 30 kg

v1 = 2 m/s

v2 = 4 m/s

If motion to the right is taken positive and that to the left is negative, then momentum of the two bicycles before collision is given by;

Momentum = mass (v1-v2) = 30 (2-4) = - 60 kg-m/s (that is, the momentum is 60 kg-m/s to the left).