A bus and a car have an inelastic head-on collision. The bus has a mass of 1.5 × 103 kilograms and an initial velocity of +20 meters/second. The car has a mass of 9.5 × 102 kilograms and an initial velocity of -26 meters/second. What is their total momentum after the collision?

A. 2.5 × 103 kilogram meters/second

B. 3.0 × 103 kilogram meters/second

C. 5.3 × 103 kilogram meters/second

D. 5.8 × 103 kilogram meters/second

E. 6.0 × 103 kilogram meters/second

Respuesta :

Answer:

Option C, 5300 kg.m/s

Explanation:

Momentum before collision

Momentum, p=mv where m is the mass and v is the velocity hence

Initial momentum=(1500*20)+(950*-26)=5300 kg.m/s

Using the principle of conservation of momentum, the sum of initial and final momentum are same hence

Final momentum=(m1+m2)vf=(1500+950)vf=5300 kg.m/s

vf=5300/2450=2.163265306  m/s

The total momentum after collision is 5300 kg.m/s and speed is 2.16 m/s