A car weighing one ton is moving at 50km/hr and a truck weighing two tons is moving at 25km/hr. Both are moving in the opposite direction, which has more momentum? I think they are the same, but want to make sure
The momenta are the same but in opposite directions. The vector sum of the two is zero
To determine which object has more momentum, we need to calculate the momentum of each object using the formula:
Momentum = mass × velocity
For the car:
Mass = 1 ton = 1000 kg (since 1 ton equals 1000 kg)
Velocity = 50 km/hr
Momentum of the car = 1000 kg × (50 km/hr) = 50,000 kg·km/hr
For the truck:
Mass = 2 tons = 2000 kg (since 1 ton equals 1000 kg)
Velocity = 25 km/hr
Momentum of the truck = 2000 kg × (25 km/hr) = 50,000 kg·km/hr
Both the car and the truck have the same momentum, which is 50,000 kg·km/hr. Therefore, your assumption is correct.