consider a system to be one train car moving toward another train car at rest. when the train cars collide…

consider a system to be one train car moving toward another train car at rest. when the train cars collide, the two cars stick together. what is the total momentum of the system after the collision? 800 kg·m/s 1,600 kg·m/s 2,400 kg·m/s 4,000 kg·m/s before collision m1 = 600 kg v1 = 4 m/s m2 = 400 kg v2 = 0 m/s after collision

consider a system to be one train car moving toward another train car at rest. when the train cars collide, the two cars stick together. what is the total momentum of the system after the collision? 800 kg·m/s 1,600 kg·m/s 2,400 kg·m/s 4,000 kg·m/s before collision m1 = 600 kg v1 = 4 m/s m2 = 400 kg v2 = 0 m/s after collision

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the law of conservation of momentum

The total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision in an isolated - system. The formula for momentum is $p = mv$.

Step2: Calculate the total momentum before the collision

The momentum of the first train - car $p_1=m_1v_1$, where $m_1 = 600\ kg$ and $v_1 = 4\ m/s$, so $p_1=600\times4 = 2400\ kg\cdot m/s$. The momentum of the second train - car $p_2=m_2v_2$, where $m_2 = 400\ kg$ and $v_2 = 0\ m/s$, so $p_2=400\times0 = 0\ kg\cdot m/s$. The total momentum before the collision $p_{total - before}=p_1 + p_2=2400+0 = 2400\ kg\cdot m/s$.

Step3: Determine the total momentum after the collision

By the law of conservation of momentum, $p_{total - after}=p_{total - before}=2400\ kg\cdot m/s$.

Answer:

2,400 kg·m/s