A motor-cycle of mass travels due east with a speed of
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A motor-cycle of mass 200kg travels due east with a speed of 15ms−1. A car of mass 1200kg travels due north with a speed of 5ms−1 on a level road.
(i) Calculate the magnitude of the linear momentum of each vehicle.
(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of each vehicle.
(iii) Identify which vehicle possesses the greater momentum and which possesses the greater kinetic energy, stating numerical values.
(iv) If the motor-cycle suddenly reverses its direction while keeping the same speed, determine its new momentum and kinetic energy, and comment on what has changed and what has remained the same.