Final answer:
An object's momentum is affected by its mass and velocity. For objects with the same momentum, the one with less mass has more kinetic energy. Conversely, with the same kinetic energy, the object with less mass has more momentum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that affect an object's momentum are its mass and velocity. An object has a large momentum if it has a large mass, a high velocity, or both. Momentum, denoted by the symbol p, is a vector quantity that is directly proportional to both the object's mass (m) and its velocity (v). Therefore, the equation for momentum is p = mv, and the SI unit for momentum is kg. m/s.
Addressing the conceptual questions, if two objects have the same momentum but different masses, the object with the smaller mass will have the largest kinetic energy. This is because kinetic energy (K) is related to momentum (p) by the equation K = p²/2m. Conversely, if two objects have the same kinetic energy but different masses, the object with the smaller mass will have the largest momentum.
Momentum is particularly important in physics for solving problems involving collisions, as it is conserved in isolated systems. This conservation law helps to predict the outcome of collisions, from small particles to large astrophysical objects.