Elementary question on car crashes and momentum

[Matt G]

When two cars crash into one another they generally come to a stop, yet we are told momentum cannot be created or destroyed. Where did their momentum go? It seems like the kinetic energy went into the damage in the vehicles but apparently that has nothing to do with momentum?.

Thanks Matt

 

[Ibix]

Can you write down their initial momentum? What forces are acting on the cars and what effect might they have on the momentum of the cars?

 

[Matt G]

Sorry but it would just confuse me if I did. It seems like an abstract question and not one about a particular case

 

[JBA]

Google "momentum of an object" and it will help you see the relationship

 

[Herman Trivilino]

yet we are told momentum cannot be created or destroyed.

Under specified conditions.

 

[Herman Trivilino]

Sorry but it would just confuse me if I did. It seems like an abstract question and not one about a particular case

If you insist on accounting for the lost momentum, this is the most meangful way of doing it.

 

[DannoXYZ]

Draw it as vectors and it becomes clear...

 

[Ibix]

Sorry but it would just confuse me if I did. It seems like an abstract question and not one about a particular case

It may confuse you, but we can work through that. The point here is to help you solve the problem.