Question

In a closed system, three objects have the following momentum’s: 110 kg times m/s, -65kg times m/s and -100 kg times m/s. The object collide and move together. What is the total momentum after the collision

Answer 1

In a closed system, the law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.

To find the total momentum before the collision, we simply need to add the individual momenta of the three objects:

1. \( p_1 = 110 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s} \)
2. \( p_2 = -65 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s} \)
3. \( p_3 = -100 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s} \)

Now let's calculate the total momentum:

\[
\text{Total momentum} = p_1 + p_2 + p_3
\]
\[
\text{Total momentum} = 110 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s} + (-65 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}) + (-100 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s})
\]
\[
\text{Total momentum} = 110 - 65 - 100
\]
\[
\text{Total momentum} = 110 - 165
\]
\[
\text{Total momentum} = -55 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}
\]

So, the total momentum after the collision, when the objects move together, is **-55 kg·m/s**.