Momentum Change in a Collision with Combined Units

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The discussion centers on a collision involving two objects with initial momenta of 100 kg m/s and 120 kg m/s, resulting in a combined momentum of 20 kg m/s after the collision. The key issue raised is the inability to determine the change in momentum for each object due to insufficient data, specifically the lack of individual masses. Although the total momentum remains consistent at 20 kg m/s before and after the collision, the individual contributions to this momentum cannot be calculated without knowing the masses. Therefore, while the overall momentum is conserved, the specific changes for each object remain indeterminate. Understanding the masses is crucial for calculating individual momentum changes in such collisions.
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In this collision


Before= p=100 kg m/s---> <-----p=120 kg m/s
After= <--combined unit P= 20 kg m/s

In this question when I work out the change in momentum for 2 objects it is not the same. When there is a combined unit traveling after the collision can't you find the change in momentum?
 
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What's the problem? The total momentum is 20 kg-m/s to the left both before and after the collision.
 
phyzguy said:
What's the problem? The total momentum is 20 kg-m/s to the left both before and after the collision.

How do you find the change in momentum of each object? Is the data insufficient?
 
I see your question. Unless you know the masses of the two objects, you don't know how much of the final momentum belongs to each object, so you can't calculate the individual changes.
 

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