Question

question 8 of 20 two birds collide in midair. before the collision, their combined momentum is 20 kg·m/s to the south. what is their combined momentum after the collision? a. 20 kg·m/s east b. 20 kg·m/s north c. 20 kg·m/s down d. 20 kg·m/s south

Explanation:

Step1: Recall law of conservation of momentum

The law of conservation of momentum states that in the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system remains constant.

Step2: Analyze the bird - collision situation

The two - bird system has no external forces acting on it during the mid - air collision. So the combined momentum before the collision is equal to the combined momentum after the collision. Since the combined momentum before the collision is 20 kg·m/s to the south, the combined momentum after the collision is also 20 kg·m/s to the south.

Answer:

D. 20 kg·m/s south