Question

question 1 of 28. the diagram shows a system in which momentum is conserved. which statement must be true about the system? a. no forces act between car 1 and car 2. b. $vec{p}_1=vec{p}_2$ c. no outside forces act on either car 1 or car 2. d. $vec{p}_1+vec{p}_2 = 0$

Explanation:

Momentum conservation requires the net external force on the system to be zero. Internal forces between the cars do not affect total momentum. If outside forces act on either car, net external force is non-zero, violating conservation. Thus, no outside forces on either car must hold.

Answer:

C. No outside forces act on either car 1 or car 2.