Question

An elephant and a mouse would both have zero weight in gravity-free space. If they were moving toward you with the same speed, would they bump into you with the same effect? Explain.

Answer 1

The elephant and the mouse having zero weight in a gravity free space will not bump into you at the same effect.

Explanation:

When both are in a gravity free space, the weights are zero, as we know that the
`\text {weight of the body}=\text {mass of the body} * \text {acceleration due to gravity}`

`\text {here, the weight of elephant}=\text {mass of elephant } * \text {zero gravti} y=zero`

`\text {similarly,weight of mouse}=\text {mass of mouse } * \text {zero gravity}=zero`

But when they will acquire the speed of same magnitude, say v, their different masses will acquire different momentum, which will make the difference in effect while bumping.

`\text { momentum of elephant }=\text { mass of elephant } * v`
`\text { momentum of mouse = mass of mouse } * v`

And as we know
`\text { mass of elephant }>\text { mass of mouse }` Therefore, effect of impact by elephant will be more than that of mouse . An elephant breaking into you will take you back faster than a mouse in space hits you.