Question

question 16 of 23
two birds collide in midair. before the collision, their combined momentum was 15 kg·m/s to the north. what is their combined momentum after the collision?
a. 15 kg·m/s north
b. 15 kg·m/s east
c. 15 kg·m/s south
d. 15 kg·m/s down

Explanation:

Step1: Recall law of conservation of momentum

In the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system is conserved.

Step2: Analyze the bird - collision system

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.

Answer:

A. 15 kg·m/s north