Which object has a greater momentum, a stationary tractor-trailer or a tossed tennis ball? Explain your answer please.

To determine which object has a greater momentum, we need to understand the concept of momentum and how it is calculated. The momentum of an object is the product of its mass and velocity.

Momentum (p) = mass (m) × velocity (v)

Let's consider the two objects in question: a stationary tractor-trailer and a tossed tennis ball.

First, let's analyze the tractor-trailer. Even though it is stationary (meaning its velocity is zero), it has a significantly larger mass compared to the tennis ball. The mass of a tractor-trailer can range from several tons to over 15 tons, depending on its size and cargo. Since the velocity of the tractor-trailer is zero, its momentum will also be zero.

Now, let's consider the tennis ball. Although its mass is significantly smaller compared to the tractor-trailer, when it is tossed, it gains velocity. The exact velocity will depend on how hard it was thrown, but let's assume a reasonable speed for a tennis ball.

Assuming that the mass of the tennis ball is approximately 0.06 kg and it is thrown with a velocity of 10 m/s, the momentum of the tennis ball would be:

Momentum (p) = mass (m) × velocity (v)
= 0.06 kg × 10 m/s
= 0.6 kg·m/s

Since the tractor-trailer has zero velocity, its momentum is zero, while the tossed tennis ball has a momentum of 0.6 kg·m/s.

Therefore, the tennis ball has a greater momentum compared to the stationary tractor-trailer.