Question

Joaquin is trying to solve a physics problem involving momentum. The mass of the object is given as 50 kg, and the velocity is 2 m/s. Joaquin's answer is 10 kg×m/s. Is Joaquin's answer correct?

A) yes its correct
B) no, joaquin answer is ten times to small
C) no, joaquin answer is twice as big as it should be
D) no, joaquin answer is ten times bigger than it should be

Answer 1

The correct answer is:
B) no, joaquin answer is ten times to small

In fact, the momentum of the object is given by

`p=mv`
where m is the object's mass and v its velocity. Using the data of the problem, we find

`p=mv=(50 kg)(2 m/s)=100 kg m s^(-1)`
Joaquin's answer was 10 kg m/s, so his answer was 10 times smaller than the correct answer.