Question

A light mass and a heavy mass have equal momentum. Which will have more kinetic energy?

(Hint : Kinetic energy K = P²/2m where P is the momentum.)

Answer 1

We know that momentum p = mass × velocity

Let m₁, m₂ be the mass of two bodies having velocity v₁, v₂

∴ Their momentum is m₁ v₁ and m₂ v₂

Since m₁ v₁ = m₂ v₂ (given),

If m₁ < m₂, v₁ > v₂

∴ Kinetic Energy of lighter mass is greater.

Since K.E = `1/2 mv^2`