A truck and a bicycle are moving side by side with the same velocity. Which, if either, will require the larger impulse to bring it to a stop?

a) The bicycle.
b) The truck.
c) Both will need the same impulse.
d) There is not enough information to determine the answer.

b. The truck.

To determine which object will require the larger impulse to bring it to a stop, we need to consider the impulse-momentum principle.

The impulse-momentum principle states that the change in momentum of an object is equal to the impulse applied to it. Mathematically, this principle can be expressed as:

Impulse = Change in momentum

Momentum is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity:

Momentum = mass × velocity

Now, since the question states that both the truck and the bicycle are moving with the same velocity, we can conclude that their velocities are equal.

If we assume that the truck has a greater mass than the bicycle, which is typically the case, then the impulse needed to bring the truck to a stop would be larger.

Intuitively, when applying the same braking force to both the truck and the bicycle, the truck's larger mass would result in a smaller acceleration compared to the bicycle. Therefore, it would take a longer duration of time to bring the truck to a stop compared to the bicycle, resulting in a larger impulse being applied to the truck.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

b) The truck.