Question

Consider two laboratory carts of different masses but identical kinetic energies and the three following statements. Which of the statements below would be correct? a) The one with the greatest mass has the greatest momentum. b) The same impulse was required to accelerate each cart from rest. c) Both can do the same amount of work as they come to a stop.

Answer 1

Answer:

a) The one with the greatest mass has the greatest momentum.

c) Both can do the same amount of work as they come to a stop.

Explanation:

The relation between kinetic energy and momentum is shown below as:

$p=\sqrt {2\times mass\ K.E.}$

Thus, having same kinetic energy, the greatest mass will correspond to greatest momentum.

Hence, Option a is correct.

Since, they have same kinetic energy, they can do the same amount of work when they come to stop as they posses same energy.

Hence, Option c is correct.

Since, Impulse is change in momentum. Thus, they both posses different momentum and thus, impulse will also not be same for both of them.

Hence, Option b is incorrect.