Which of the following have the highest ratio of kinetic energy to momentum,K/p? A)an asteroid with mass 10⁶ kg and speed 500 m/s B)a high-speed train with a mass of 180,000 kg and a speed of 300 km/hr C)a 120-kg linebacker with a speed of 10 m/s D)a 10-kg cannon with a speed of 120 m/s E)a proton with a mass of 6 * 10^-27 kg and a speed of 2 * 10⁵ m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ratio of kinetic energy to momentum is given by K/p = 1/2mv^2 / mv = v/2. 
Using this formula, we find that:

A) K/p = 500/2 = 250
B) K/p = (300/3.6)/2 = 41.7
C) K/p = 10/2 = 5
D) K/p = 120/2 = 60
E) K/p = (2x10^15)/2 = 10^15

Therefore, the proton (choice E) has the highest ratio of K/p.

Which of the Following Have the Highest Ratio of Kinetic