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From: Terminal Velocity Mission 2: A Universe of Motion (pp: 58,59)
Visualizing Conservation of Momentum

This article uses graphics to explore several different collision scenarios and examine how momentum is conserved in each.
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Visualizing Conservation of Momentum
The law of conservation of momentum states that momentum is neither lost or gained, but is transferred between objects. Below are examples of how that can happen.



A large truck is stopped in the road and a small car hits it from behind. The car has forward momentum, and the truck is not moving.Some of the car’s momentum will be transferred to the truck, and the truck will move in the direction the car was traveling.The lighter car will rebound off the truck and move in the opposite direction.
 
A small car is stopped at a stop sign and is hit from behind by a large truck. The two vehicles don’t stick together.Both vehicles will move in the direction the truck was traveling. Since some of the truck’s momentum is transferred to the car, the car will move faster, and the truck will slow down.
 
A small car is stopped at a stop sign and is hit by a large truck. The two vehicles stick together after the collision.Both vehicles will move as one with a combined momentum in the direction the truck was traveling.
 
Two cars of equal mass moving at the same speed collide head to head.Both cars will rebound and move at the same speed in opposite directions.
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