Question

Why does the momentum before a collision equal the momentum after a collision?

A) because velocity is conserved
B) because force times mass equals acceleration
C) because momentum is conserved

Answer 1

The answer is C. Due to conservation of momentum.

Answer 2

Answer: Correct option is C) because momentum is conserved

 

Explanation:

According to law of conservation of linear momentum if net external force on a system is zero then the total momentum of the system will be conserved .

For a collision occurring between object 1 and object 2 in an isolated system

If we consider the two colliding object as a single system then while collision the total momentum of the two objects before the collision is equal to the total momentum of the two objects after the collision.

Thus momentum before collision equal the momentum after a collision because momentum is conserved .