Question

Which object has the greatest momentum...and why

1) a 12-kg mass moving at 1 m/sec
2) a 5-kg mass moving at 2 m/sec
3) a 9-kg mass moving at 3 m/sec
4) a 4-kg mass moving at 4 m/sec

Answer 1

To determine the object with the greatest momentum, calculate the momentum of each object using the formula: Momentum (p) = mass (m) × velocity (v). Object 3, a 9-kg mass moving at 3 m/s, has the greatest momentum with 27 kg.m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Momentum is directly proportional to an object's mass and velocity. To determine the object with the greatest momentum, you need to calculate the momentum of each object using the formula:

Momentum (p) = mass (m) × velocity (v)

Let's calculate the momentum of each object:

1. Object 1: 12 kg × 1 m/s = 12 kg.m/s
2. Object 2: 5 kg × 2 m/s = 10 kg.m/s
3. Object 3: 9 kg × 3 m/s = 27 kg.m/s
4. Object 4: 4 kg × 4 m/s = 16 kg.m/s

Based on the calculations, Object 3 (a 9-kg mass moving at 3 m/s) has the greatest momentum with 27 kg.m/s.

Answer 2

The formula for momentum is p=mv where p is the momentum (kgms-1), m is the mass (kg) and v is the velocity (ms-1). So, to work out the momentum, we just multiply these numbers together and work out which is the largest.

1) 12kgms-1
2) 10kgms-1
3) 27kgms-1
4) 16kgms-1

Therefore the object with the greatest momentum is 3 - a 9kg mass moving at 3m/s