Impulse = Change in Momentum

Question

In a car crash, an air bag exerts -1000 N of force on a 46 kg passenger. The passenger comes to a rest in 0.15 sec. How fast was the passenger moving before the crash?

 

Show work please.

Answer 1

Impulse:

I = -1000N * 0.15s = -150 N*s

Change in momentum

mΔv = 46kg * (0 - v_i)

 

Equate:

-150 N*s = 46 kg * -v_i

=> v_i = 3.26 m/s