Question

A car with a mass of 2000 kg travels to the right at a speed of 80 m/s. A truck travels to the left at a speed of 20 m/s and has a mass of 7000 kg. Which one of the two has the greatest momentum?

Cannot tell without the impulse

The truck

Both have the same momentum

The car

Answer 1

The car has the greatest momentum, 160000 [kg*m/s]

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to solve this problem we must remember that linear momentum is defined as the product of mass by Velocity. In this way we have the following equation

P = m*v

where:

P = lineal momemtum [kg*m/s]

m = mass [kg]

v = velocity [m/s]

Therefore we must calculate the momentum for both the truck and the car.

For the car

Pc = 2000*80

Pc = 160000 [kg*m/s]

For the Truck

Pt = 7000*20

Pt = 140000 [m/s]

The car has the greatest momentum