Question

A 6000 kg lorry is reversing into a parking space at a speed of 0.5 m/s but collides with a car. The crumple zone of the car stops the lorry in 1.5 seconds. What was the change in momentum?

Answer 1

Answer:

3000 kg.m/s

Explanation:

Momentum, p is a product of mass and velocity hence

p=mv where m is mass and v is velocity.

Change in momentum is given by $m(v_f-v_i)$ where subscripts f and i represent final and initial respectively. Since the lorry finally comes to rest then the final velocity is zero. Substituting the given figures then

Change in momentum= 6000(0-0.5)=-3000 kg.m/s