Question

A bug splats against the windshield of a car traveling at high speeds down a backcountry road. Which statement correctly compares the objects' changes in momentum?

A. The bug's change in momentum is larger than the car's change in momentum.
B. The bug's change in momentum is smaller than the car's change in momentum.
C. The bug's change in momentum is equal to the car's change in momentum.
D. The question does not provide enough information. (The question should include whether the collision is elastic or inelastic.)

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The bug's change in momentum is equal to the car's change in momentum.

Explanation:

As we know by Newton's 2nd law

$F = \frac{\Delta P}{\Delta t}$

here we have also know that when car hits the bug then force applied by wind shield on the bug is same as the force applied by the bug on the car's wind shield as per Newton's III law

$F_{12} = F_{21}$

so we know that

$\frac{\Delta P_{12}}{\Delta t} = \frac{\Delta P_{21}}{\Delta t}$

so we have

$\Delta P_{12} = \Delta P_{21}$

so correct answer will be

C. The bug's change in momentum is equal to the car's change in momentum.