Collisions: In a collision between two objects having unequal masses, how does magnitude of the impulse imparted to the lighter object by the heavier one compare with the magnitude of the impulse imparted to the heavier object by the lighter one?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the Law of Conservation of Momentum, the total momentum of the system before and after the collision remains constant. Therefore, the impulse imparted to one object is equal and opposite to the impulse imparted to the other object. In a collision between two objects having unequal masses, the magnitude of the impulse imparted to the lighter object by the heavier one is the same as the magnitude of the impulse imparted to the heavier object by the lighter one. Therefore, both objects receive the same impulse.

Collisions: in a Collision Between Two Objects Having Unequal Masses