Conservation of Momentum: Solving a Collision Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a collision problem involving two objects with momenta n and 2n, moving in opposite directions. The key conclusion is that in an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. Therefore, after the collision, the right-moving object will reverse direction and move left with momentum n, while the left-moving object will stop, resulting in a final state where the total momentum remains conserved at n.

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Homework Statement


If an object with momentum n going right collides with an object with momentum 2n going left, will the right-moving object go left at momentum n while the left-moving object stops, or will both objects move left at momentum n/2?

The Attempt at a Solution


Obviously, the opposing forces are going to cancel out, but I'm not sure if the remaining n momentum is going to be distributed between both objects or not. Could someone give me a quick solution here?
 
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Presumably this is an elastic collision.

What else needs to be conserved?
 

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