- #1
DavidAp
- 44
- 0
Two objects have unequal masses, m1 > m2. If their kinetic energies are equal, which has the greater momentum?
This is the way I approached this problem. I know that,
Momentum = mass*velocity
K = 1/2mv^2
So, I solved for v since it is the only unknown in these two equations.
k = 1/2mv^2
2k/m = v^2
√2k/m = v
And plugged it into the first equation for momentum.
Momentum = m√2k/m
= √m^2*√2k/m
= √m^2 2k/m
= √2k m
However, since 2k is a constant between the two massess I removed them from the equation giving me Momentum = √m
Since m1>m2 I thought it was safe to say that the momentum of object 1 is greater than the momentum of object 2; however, I was wrong. According to the answer the momentum of m2 is greater than m1 so I'm just wonder, why?
Is my math wrong, am I not suppose to join these two equation? If somebody can help I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to review my question.
This is the way I approached this problem. I know that,
Momentum = mass*velocity
K = 1/2mv^2
So, I solved for v since it is the only unknown in these two equations.
k = 1/2mv^2
2k/m = v^2
√2k/m = v
And plugged it into the first equation for momentum.
Momentum = m√2k/m
= √m^2*√2k/m
= √m^2 2k/m
= √2k m
However, since 2k is a constant between the two massess I removed them from the equation giving me Momentum = √m
Since m1>m2 I thought it was safe to say that the momentum of object 1 is greater than the momentum of object 2; however, I was wrong. According to the answer the momentum of m2 is greater than m1 so I'm just wonder, why?
Is my math wrong, am I not suppose to join these two equation? If somebody can help I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to review my question.