What is the initial momentum of the car and rider in a collision?

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In summary, the conversation discusses a car crashing into a wall and coming to a complete stop without bouncing back. The car has a mass of 1500 kg and a speed of 30 m/s before the crash. The initial momentum of the car is 45000kg m/s and the change in momentum is -45000kg m/s. The concept of momentum and its calculation is also mentioned.
  • #1
savaphysics
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Homework Statement


You are riding in a car that crashes into a solid wall. The car comes to a complete stop without bouncing back. The car has a mass of 1500 kg and has a speed of 30 m/s before the crash.

What is the car’s initial momentum? What is your initial momentum? (Recall that the weight
of one kilogram is 2.2 lbs) What is the change in the momentum of the car? What is the
change in your momentum?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



CarI= (1500kg) X (30m/s)= 45000kg m/s
YouI=(Mass) X (30 m/s)

Car change= (1500kg) X (-30m/s)= -45000kg m/s
You change= (Mass) X (-30m/s)
 
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  • #2
Yes...where your mass in kg is your weight in pounds divided by 2.2.
I guess that is what the problem is asking...
 
  • #3
That all looks right. Is that all you wanted to know?
 

Related to What is the initial momentum of the car and rider in a collision?

1. What is initial momentum?

Initial momentum, also known as starting momentum, is the measure of an object's motion at the beginning of a given time period. It takes into account both the mass and velocity of an object, and is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction.

2. How is initial momentum calculated?

The initial momentum of an object can be calculated by multiplying its mass by its initial velocity. This can be represented by the equation P = mv, where P is the initial momentum, m is the mass, and v is the initial velocity.

3. What is the conservation of initial momentum?

The conservation of initial momentum is a fundamental law of physics that states that the total initial momentum of a system remains constant, as long as there are no external forces acting on the system. This means that the initial momentum of all objects in a system before a collision or interaction will be equal to the final momentum of all objects after the collision or interaction.

4. How is initial momentum different from final momentum?

Initial momentum is the measure of an object's motion at the beginning of a given time period, while final momentum is the measure of an object's motion at the end of a given time period. In a closed system, the total initial momentum will be equal to the total final momentum, as long as there are no external forces acting on the system.

5. Why is it important to calculate initial momentum?

Calculating initial momentum is important in understanding the motion of objects and predicting their behavior in various situations. It is also a crucial component in the study of collisions, as it helps determine the forces involved and the resulting change in motion. Additionally, the conservation of initial momentum is a fundamental principle in many branches of physics, including mechanics and thermodynamics.

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