Question

A 2,000-kg test car, traveling 60 m/s hits a brick wall. Using motion pictures, the time involved is determined to be 0.050 s. What is the change in momentum of the car?

A) +1.2 x 10^5

B)-1.2 x 10^5

Answer 1

change in momentum of car is given as

`\Delta P = P_f - P_i`

here we have

`\Delta P = m(v_f - v_i)`

given that

m = 2000 kg

`v_f = 0`

`v_i = 60 m/s`

now we have

`\Delta P = 2000(0 - 60)`

`\Delta P = - 1.2 * 10^5 kg m/s`