Question

Six runners have masses (in multiples of m0), speeds (in multiples of v0) and travel in the directions indicated in the table. Which two runners have identical momenta?

Runner Mass Speed Direction of Travel
A 1/2m0 v0 Due north
B m0 v0 Due east
C m0 2v0 Due south
D 2m0 v0 Due west
E m0 1/2v0 Due north
F 2m0 2v0 Due west

a. B and C
b. A and E
c. A and C
d. D and F
e. C and D

Answer 1

The two runners that have identical momenta are runners C and D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two runners that have identical momenta are runners C and D.

Runner C has a mass of m0 and a speed of 2v0, and travels due south. Runner D has a mass of 2m0 and a speed of v0, and travels due west.

Momentum is calculated by multiplying mass and velocity. Since runner C has a mass of m0 and a speed of 2v0, their momentum would be m0 * 2v0 = 2m0v0. Similarly, runner D has a mass of 2m0 and a speed of v0, so their momentum is 2m0 * v0 = 2m0v0. Therefore, runners C and D have identical momenta of 2m0v0.