Question

question 1 of 25
two birds collide in midair. before the collision, their combined momentum was 88 kg·m/s to the west. what is their combined momentum after the collision?

a. 88 kg·m/s west
b. 88 kg·m/s down
c. 88 kg·m/s north
d. 88 kg·m/s east

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Conservation of Momentum

In a collision (especially in midair, assuming no external forces like air resistance are significant), the total momentum of a system is conserved. This means the total momentum before the collision equals the total momentum after the collision.

Step2: Apply the Principle

Before the collision, the combined momentum of the two birds is 88 kg·m/s west. By the law of conservation of momentum, after the collision, their combined momentum should remain the same in both magnitude and direction.

Answer:

A. 88 kg·m/s west