If you exert a force on an object in motion you will change its _____.
A.mass
B.weight
C.inertia
D.momentum
I think it is D....?
Thank you
Yes, you are correct. If you exert a force on an object in motion, you will change its momentum. Momentum is a property of moving objects that depends on both its mass and its velocity. The formula for momentum is:
momentum = mass x velocity
When a force is applied to an object, it causes a change in its velocity, either by increasing or decreasing its speed or by changing its direction. This, in turn, affects the object's momentum.
To arrive at the correct answer, we can assess each option:
A. Mass: Exerting a force on an object will not directly change its mass. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant unless additional matter is added or removed.
B. Weight: The weight of an object is the force of gravity acting on it, which is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. When you exert a force on an object, it may influence its weight indirectly by changing its motion, but it does not directly change the weight itself.
C. Inertia: Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. By exerting a force on an object, you can overcome its inertia and cause it to change its motion. However, momentum is the specific quantity that directly changes when a force acts on an object.
D. Momentum: As described earlier, exerting a force on an object in motion will change its momentum. The magnitude and direction of the change in momentum depend on factors such as the force's strength, the duration of the force application, and the object's initial momentum. Consequently, option D, momentum, is the correct answer.
In summary, when you exert a force on an object in motion, you will change its momentum (option D).