Question

Momentum data about the same objects in the same closed system is shown below.

A 3 column table with 4 rows. The first column is labeled Trial with entries 1, 2, 3, 4. The second column is labeled Initial Momentum in kilogram meters per second with entries 3.5, 3.7, 3.4, x. The last column is labeled Final Momentum in kilogram meters per second with entries 3.5, 3.7, 3.4 3.6.
What value should be in place of the X?

3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7

Answer 1

3.6

In a closed system momentum is conserved, so the initial momentum must equal the final momentum (3.6 kg·m/s).