A 4148-kg truck traveling with a velocity of 12 m/s due east collides head-on with a 898-kg car traveling with a velocity of 40 m/s due west. The two vehicles stick together after the collision. Determine the momentum of the 4148-kg truck and the 898-kg car prior to the collision.

49776 kgm/s

- 35920 kgm/s

Explanation:

Consider east direction as positive direction of motion and west as negative direction of motion

M = mass of the truck = 4148 kg

V = velocity of the truck in the east direction = 12 m/s

P = Momentum of the truck = ?

Momentum of the truck is given as

P = M V

P = (4148) (12)

P = 49776 kgm/s

m = mass of the car = 898 kg

v = velocity of the car in the west direction = - 40 m/s

p = Momentum of the car = ?

Momentum of the truck is given as

p = m v

p = (898) ( - 40)

p = - 35920 kgm/s