A small rock bounces off the windshield of a moving car and experiences a large change in velocity. How does the car’s momentum change?(1 point)

Question

Responses

It has a much smaller change in momentum than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a much smaller change in momentum than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.

It has a change in momentum greater than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a change in momentum greater than that of the rock, in the opposite direction.

It has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.
It has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.

It does not change.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

It has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.

This is based on the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum in a closed system remains constant. When the rock bounces off the windshield, it experiences a change in momentum, and according to Newton's third law (action and reaction), the car experiences an equal and opposite change in momentum.