Conservation of Momentum in Collisions

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In the discussion on conservation of momentum during collisions, the scenario involves a sled with a total momentum of +120 kg m/s when a friend jumps off. The key question is whether momentum is conserved and which final momenta values are possible. Momentum is conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions, provided no external forces act on the system, making the total momentum constant. The correct final momenta option is debated, with option B (+50 kg m/s for the friend and +120 kg m/s for the sled) being favored due to the conservation principle. The system experiencing no external forces includes the entire sled-friend combination, confirming that momentum remains constant.
TheHamburgler1
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I have no idea how to do this first one

1. Youre coasting with a friend on a sled, going a constant velocity, having a momentum of +120kg m/s when suddenly your friend bails off the sled. Assuming there are no net external forces acting on the system which of the following gives a correct possibility for the final momenta for first your friend, then you and the sled?

a) -50 kg m/s, +170 kg m/s
b) -50 kg m/s, +120kg m/s
c) -50 kg m/s, -70 kg m/s
d) +70 kg m/s, -50 kg m/s
e) +120 kg m/s, -50 kg m/s


my other question: Is momentum conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions or only elastic?
 
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Counter-question:
If a system is not experiencing any EXTERNAL forces, what can you say about the system's momentum?
 
It's constant right
 
This therefore means that the answer has to be B right? Because therefore the momentum for the sled is the same or am I wrong?
 
TheHamburgler1 said:
This therefore means that the answer has to be B right? Because therefore the momentum for the sled is the same or am I wrong?
What system is NOT experiencing external forces in this cases?

Is it:
i) You
ii) You+sled
iii) Sled
iv) Sled+friend
vii) Friend+you
viii) Friend
ix) You+Friend+Sled
 
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