Hello!
Here's a pretty basic momentum question. I understand how to work it out if I have made a correct assumption. Here's the question:
"A driver of mass 100kg is driving a bumper car of mass 100kg and reaches a velocity of +3m/s (6.8mph). He drives straight into another bumper car of mass 100kg which is driving straight at him "head on" at a velocity of -2m/s. The mass of the occupant of this car is 30kg. What happens in this case?"
My assumption is that the minus sign is used for the second car's velocity because velocity is a vector, so it just shows that the cars are travelling in opposite directions. Is this a correct assumption? As I have said, if I'm correct I can work it out, but f not, please can you give me some advice on how to solve this problem?
Thank you TSR.