How do you find momentum immediately before collision?

Answer 1

the momentum is a vector so has direction
m1 V1 + m2 V2 = momentum before
if you arre on a plane with x and y directions
V1 = u1 i + v1 j

V2 = u2 i + v2 j

total momentum in x direction = m 1 u1 + m2 u2
total momentum in y direction = m1 v1 + m2 v2

If nothing else around then after collision the momenta in the x and y directions are the same as before the crash (Newton Law 1).

Answer 2

V1 = velocity before collision.
Momentum before = MV1.

Answer 3

thanks

Answer 4

Now for example is the two objects join then the new mass after collision is (m1+m2)
the momentum has to be the same
so in the x direction
(m1+m2) u = m1 u1 + m2 u2
and in the y direction
(m1+m2) v = m1 v1 + m2 v2
speed = sqrt (u^2+v^2)
angle above x axis = tan^-1 (v/u)

Answer 5

You are welcome .