Question

A 2 kg blob of putty moving at 3 m/s slams into a 3 kg blob of putty at rest. Which blob has the most momentum prior to the collision?

Answer 1

initial momentum of 2 kg blob is given as

$P_1 = m_1v_1$

here we have

$m_1 = 2kg$

$v_1 = 3m/s$

$P_1 = 3(2) = 6 kg m/s$

initial momentum of 3 kg blob is given as

$P_2 = m_2v_2$

here we have

$m_2 = 3kg$

$v_2 = 0m/s$

$P_2 = 3(0) = 0 kg m/s$

So initially 2 kg Blob has most momentum before they collide