Linear momentum

[prototype]

Two trucks A and B ,are about to collide head on ; their values of linear momentum are 24kgm/s{on the right} and 10kgm/s{on the left} respectively .after the collision two trucks seprate and move away from each other ,at which time truck A has a linear momentum of 8kgm/s.
calculate;
(b)the momentum of the truck B after collision and state its direction of travel.

 

[prototype]

this answer is 6N towards right .but my answer is 22N towards right .plz explain this

 

[hassam]

 

[hassam]

hope the above solution clears the ambiguity......if momentum is towards ryt its +ve and if its 2wards left it shud be -ve

 

[waleedbinqasim]

correct

 

[farrukh]

@hassam:
why didn't u take the final momentum of A as -8kgm/s ?? even when its moving to the left

 

[hassam]

no its not moving to left...the question doesnt says that......"two trucks seprate and move away from each other"..this statement doesnt implies that the two trucks shud move in the opposite direction......here it implies that they move in the same direction i.e 2wards ryt and such a situation is possible.....think abt it...if any ambiguity ask here !!!

 

[farrukh]

i got u...thanks