Intro to Momentum: Which object has the greatest momentum magnitude?

• A. Object B: mass $1kg$, speed $25m/s$
• B. Object D: mass $0.5kg$, speed $30m/s$
• C. Object C: mass $5kg$, speed $4m/s$
• D. Object A: mass $2kg$, speed $10m/s$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that momentum (\[p\]) is defined as the product of an object's mass (\[m\]) and its velocity (\[v\]): \[p = m \times v\].
2. List the given masses and speeds for each object: Object A: \[m=2\,kg\], \[v=10\,m/s\]; Object B: \[m=1\,kg\], \[v=25\,m/s\]; Object C: \[m=5\,kg\], \[v=4\,m/s\]; Object D: \[m=0.5\,kg\], \[v=30\,m/s\].
3. Calculate the momentum magnitude for each object by multiplying their mass and speed: \[p_A = 2 \times 10\], \[p_B = 1 \times 25\], \[p_C = 5 \times 4\], \[p_D = 0.5 \times 30\].
4. Compare the calculated momentum values for all objects to determine which one has the greatest momentum magnitude.
5. Identify the object with the highest momentum value as the one with the greatest momentum magnitude.