A small car meshes with a large truck in a head-on collision.Which of the following statements concerning the magnitude of the momentum change during the collision is correct? (There could be more than one correct choice.)
A)The truck has the greater magnitude momentum change.
B)The small car has the greater magnitude momentum change.
C)The small car and the truck have the same magnitude momentum change.
D)The magnitude of the momentum change of each one is inversely proportional to its mass.
E)The magnitude of the momentum change of each one is directly proportional to its mass.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the law of conservation of momentum, the magnitude of momentum change is the same for both the truck and the small car during the collision. This is because the force exerted on each other is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction for the same duration, leading to equal and opposite changes in momentum.

A Small Car Meshes with a Large Truck in a Head-On