A 4,000 kg truck and a 2,000 kg car are both traveling at 10 m/s when they hit a wall. Which vehicle has more momentum just before striking the wall? What is the ratio of their momenta?

Question

A 4,000 kg truck and a 2,000 kg car are both traveling at 10 m/s when they hit a wall.  Which vehicle has more momentum just before striking the wall?  What is the ratio of their momenta?

Henry · Answer

M1 = 4000kg, V1 = 10 m/s. M2 = 2000kg, V2 = 10 m/s. M1*V1 = 4000 * 10 = 40,000 kg-m/s. M2*V2 = 2,000 * 10 = 20,000 kg-m/s. Ratio = 40,000/20,000 = 2/1.