Two masses m₁ and m₂,with m₁

Question

Two masses m₁ and m₂,with m₁ < m₂,have momenta with equal magnitudes.How do their kinetic energies compare? A)KE₁ < KE₂ B)KE₁ = KE₂ C)KE₁ > KE₂ D)More information is needed.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since momentum (p) is the product of mass (m) and velocity (v), for two objects with equal momentum, the object with the smaller mass (m₁) must have a higher velocity to compensate. Kinetic energy (KE) is given by $ \frac{1}{2}mv^2 $. Therefore, the object with the smaller mass but higher velocity will have a greater kinetic energy because the velocity is squared in the kinetic energy formula, amplifying the effect of the higher velocity.

Two Masses M1 and M2,with M1 < M2,have Momenta with Equal

Two Masses M₁ and M₂,with M₁ < M₂,have Momenta with Equal