I would appreciate it for your help!

Question

In an isolated system, Bicycle 1 and Bicycle 2, each with a mass of 15 kg, collide. Bicycle 1 was moving to the right at 1 m/s, while Bicycle 2 was moving to the left at 3 m/s. What is the magnitude of their combined momentum before the crash?

A. 30 kg-m/s
B. 15 kg-m/s
C. 45 kg-m/s
D. 0 kg-m/s

Answer 1

Amanda, Momentum=mass*velocity and is a vector quantity i.e. has magnitude and direction.

 

Bike 1 momentum=15*1=15kg-m/s

Bike 2 momentum=15*(-3)=-45 kg-m/s moving to the left

Magnitude of total momentum before collision =|15-45|=30kg-m/s so the answer is A

 

Hope this helps

 

Jim