Elementary question on car crashes and momentum

AI Thread Summary
When two cars collide and come to a stop, their momentum is not lost but transformed, primarily into the energy that causes damage to the vehicles. The discussion highlights the distinction between momentum and kinetic energy, emphasizing that while momentum is conserved in a closed system, energy can be converted into other forms. Participants suggest visualizing the momentum as vectors to better understand the changes during the collision. The conversation also addresses the complexities of analyzing momentum in real-world scenarios, indicating that it can be abstract and challenging to grasp. Ultimately, the focus remains on clarifying the relationship between momentum and energy in the context of car crashes.
Matt G
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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
 
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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?
 
Sorry but it would just confuse me if I did. It seems like an abstract question and not one about a particular case
 
Google "momentum of an object" and it will help you see the relationship
 
Matt G said:
yet we are told momentum cannot be created or destroyed.
Under specified conditions.
 
Matt G said:
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.
 
Draw it as vectors and it becomes clear...
 
Matt G said:
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.
 

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