Question

Two physics students are doing a side competition during a game of bowling, seeing who can toss a ball with the larger momentum. The first bowler throws a 4.5 kg ball at 8.6 m/s. Part A A second bowler throws a 6.4 kg ball. What speed must she beat to win the competition?

Answer 1

she should beat a speed of v₂ = 6.04 m/s in order to win the competition

Explanation:

Since the momentum p is defined as

p = m*v

where

m= mass of the ball

v= velocity of the ball

denoting 1 and 2 as the first and second bowler , then to reach the momentum of the first bowler

p₂=p₁

therefore

m₁*v₁ = m₂*v₂

v₂ = v₁ * (m₁/m₂)

replacing values

v₂ = v₁ * (m₁/m₂) =8.6 m/s * (4.5 kg/6.4 kg ball) = 6.04 m/s

then since the momentum p = m*v increases with increasing v (at constant m) , she should beat a speed of v₂ = 6.04 m/s in order to win the competition