Question

The mass of the basketball is three times greater than the mass of a softball. Compare the momentum of a softball and basketball if they are both moving at the same velocity.

Answer 1

Momentum is defined by the equation

p=mv

where p=momentum, m=mass, and v=veolcity

therefore,

The momentum of the basketball can be defined as p=mv

And, relative to the basketball, the baseball would be: p=(1/3)mv

Rewriting the baseball equation as 3p=mv gives you your answer.