A running back has a momentum of 115 kg m/s as he dives east toward the end zone. A linebacker coming in the opposite direction (west) has a momentum of 125 kg m/s. When the linebacker collides with the running back, what is the total momentum?

Answer 1

To find the total momentum, we need to add the individual momenta of the running back and the linebacker since momentum is a vector quantity.

The momentum of the running back, as given, is 115 kg m/s east.
The momentum of the linebacker, as given, is 125 kg m/s west.

Since the linebacker is moving in the opposite direction (west), we can consider its momentum as negative.

So, the total momentum is:

Total momentum = momentum of running back + momentum of linebacker

Total momentum = 115 kg m/s (east) + (-125 kg m/s) (west)

Combining the two vectors, the total momentum is:

Total momentum = 115 kg m/s - 125 kg m/s

Total momentum = -10 kg m/s

Therefore, the total momentum when the linebacker collides with the running back is -10 kg m/s.