Question

Which has more momentum: a 20,000 kg cement truck traveling at 5 m/s or a 1000 kg race car traveling at 90 m/s

Answer 1

Hi there!

Recall the equation for momentum:
$\large\boxed{p = mv}$

p = linear momentum (kgm/s)
m = mass (kg)

v = velocity (m/s)

We can calculate each object's momentum and compare.

Cement truck:
$p = 20000 \cdot 5 = 100000kg\frac{m}{s}$

Race car:
$p = 1000 \cdot 90 = 90000 kg\frac{m}{s}}$

Since 100,000 > 90,000, the cement truck has the greater momentum.