Question

show mathematically why an 80,000 pound ( 36,000 kg ) big rig taveling 2 mph (0.89 m/s) has the SAME MOMENTUM as a 4,000 pound (1,800 kg) sport utility vehicle traveling 40 mph (18 m/s)

Answer 1

The momentum value for both Big rig and sport utility vehicle are the same as 16000 pound mph

Explanation:

Given data are as follows  

For Big rig, Mass = 80,000 pound (36,000 kg)  

velocity = 2  mph (0.89 m/s)

where mph is meter per hour

For sport utility vehicle, Mass = 40,000 pound (1800 kg)

velocity = 40 mph (18 m/s)

The formula to find the Momentum of an object is

Momentum = Mass × Velocity (Kilogram meter per second)

Momentum for Big rig = 80,000 × 2 (pound mph)

 = 1,60,000 pound mph

Momentum for sport utility vehicle = 4000 × 40 (pound mph)

 = 1,60,000 pound mph  

Hence it is mathematically proved that  

The momentum of big rig = The momentum of sport utility vehicle

1,60,000 pound mph = 1,60,000 pound mph