Momentum Change: Car vs. Truck Collision Comparison

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a collision between a compact car and a large truck, focusing on the concept of momentum change during the event. Participants are exploring the implications of mass and velocity in the context of momentum conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning which vehicle experiences a larger momentum change and whether momentum is conserved in the collision. There are attempts to reason through the implications of mass and velocity on momentum change.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants suggesting that momentum is conserved and questioning how that affects the momentum change for each vehicle. Hints are provided to guide thinking about the relationship between the system's momentum change and the individual vehicles' changes.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the final velocity of the combined mass post-collision, which is noted as a potential constraint in determining the momentum changes accurately.

Jatsix30
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A compact car and a large truck collide head on and stick together. Which undergoes the larger momentum change? 1) Truck, 2) Car, 3) The momentum change is the same for both vehicles, or 4) Cannot tell without knowing the final velocity of the combined mass.

:rolleyes: i thought it was car, since the large mass of the truck increases the combined mass more so for the car, thus p=mv would be increased more also... bleh, I'm kinda new at momentum
 
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Question for you: Is momentum conserved in the collision?
 
I think momentum is conserved... so would the momentum change be the same for the car and truck?
 
Hint:
Is the following statement true or false:

The momentum change of the system equals the sum of the momentum changes for car and truck.
 

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