A 3.0-kg object moves to the right at 4.0 m/s. It collides head-on with a 6.0-kg object moving to the left at 2.0 m/s.

Which statement is correct?
A) The total momentum both before and after the collision is zero.
B) The total momentum both before and after the collision is 24 kg·m/s.
C) The total momentum before the collision is 24 kg·m/s, and after the collision is 0 kg·m/s.
D) None of the above is true.

momentum is a vector quantity and if velocity is towards right it is positive and if velocity is towards left it is negative . Also momentum is product of mass and velocity .

hence initial momentum = 3×4 +6 × -2

= 12 -12

= 0

according to law of conservation of momentum , momentum after collision must be zero . Hence A is the answer

adioabiola adioabiola · Answer 2 · 2021-10-26T19:16:13+02:00

The statement which is correct about the momentum of the objects is Choice A: The total momentum both before and after the collision is zero.

Definition:

Momentum: Momentum of an object is simply defined as the product of its mass and it's velocity.

We must also recall that the law of conservation of momentum states that;

The total momentum of a system before collision is equal to the total momentum after collision.

The momentum of the 3kg object is; 3 × 4 = 12kgm/s.

The momentum of the 6kg object is; 6 × -2 = -12kgm/s.

Because the objects move in opposite directions; their momentum have different directions.

The total momentum of the objects before collision is therefore; 12 + (-12) = 0.

Consequently, since the total momentum before and after collision are equal, the total momentum both before and after the collision is zero.