The Law of Conservation of Momentum in Action

What happens when a small rock bounces off the windshield of a moving car?

A small rock bounces off the windshield of a moving car and experiences a large change in velocity. How does the car’s momentum change?

Answer:

Assuming a small rock bounces off the windshield of a moving car and experiences a large change in velocity, the way in which the car’s momentum change is that: it has a change in momentum equal to that of the rock, in the opposite direction.

Explanation:

The law of conservation of momentum states that the total linear momentum of an isolated (closed) system would always remain constant (the same) with respect to time, unless an external force is applied.

Additionally, the law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of two interacting objects in an isolated system would be the same or remain constant, provided no external force is applied.

In this scenario, we can reasonably infer and logically deduce that in accordance with the law of conservation of momentum, the car’s momentum would be equal to the rock's momentum, in the opposite direction.

Read more on momentum here: [link]