Math Problem Statement

   Multiple Choice Question

Which of the following situations has the greatest momentum?

A. 

a car that accelerates from rest to 3.0 m/s

B. 

a baseball hit with a net force of 10.0 N for 3.0 s

C. 

a rocket that crashes back to Earth with a force of 50.0 N for 0.3 m/s 

D. 

a boxer that hits a punching bag with a net force of 30.0 N for 0.5 s

Solution

To determine which situation has the greatest momentum, we must calculate the momentum for each scenario. Recall the formula for momentum, p=mvp = mv, where pp is momentum, mm is mass, and vv is velocity. Additionally, the impulse-momentum theorem relates force, time, and momentum, such that:

p=Ftp = F \cdot t

Let's analyze each option:


Option A: A car accelerates from rest to 3.0 m/s

  • No mass is given, so momentum can't be calculated directly.
  • However, assuming a constant mass mm, the final momentum is proportional to m3.0m/sm \cdot 3.0 \, \text{m/s}.

Option B: A baseball hit with a net force of 10.0 N for 3.0 s

Using impulse: p=Ft=10.0N3.0s=30.0kgm/sp = F \cdot t = 10.0 \, \text{N} \cdot 3.0 \, \text{s} = 30.0 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}


Option C: A rocket crashes back to Earth with a force of 50.0 N for 0.3 s

Using impulse: p=Ft=50.0N0.3s=15.0kgm/sp = F \cdot t = 50.0 \, \text{N} \cdot 0.3 \, \text{s} = 15.0 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}


Option D: A boxer hits a punching bag with a net force of 30.0 N for 0.5 s

Using impulse: p=Ft=30.0N0.5s=15.0kgm/sp = F \cdot t = 30.0 \, \text{N} \cdot 0.5 \, \text{s} = 15.0 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}


Comparison of Momentum:

  • Option A: Cannot be directly compared without mass.
  • Option B: 30.0kgm/s30.0 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}
  • Option C: 15.0kgm/s15.0 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}
  • Option D: 15.0kgm/s15.0 \, \text{kg} \cdot \text{m/s}

Conclusion:

The greatest momentum is in Option B: A baseball hit with a net force of 10.0 N for 3.0 s.


Would you like more clarification on the calculation process? Here are five follow-up questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. What is the relationship between force, time, and momentum?
  2. How is the impulse-momentum theorem used in physics?
  3. How would the car's momentum in Option A compare if its mass was given?
  4. Why does the rocket in Option C have a lower momentum despite a higher force?
  5. Can impulse be negative, and what does that mean physically?

Tip: Always check for proportional relationships (like p=mvp = mv or p=Ftp = F \cdot t) when comparing scenarios without complete information!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Physics
Momentum
Impulse

Formulas

p = mv
p = F × t

Theorems

Impulse-Momentum Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12