Physics (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118486897
ISBN 13: 978-1-11848-689-4

Chapter 7 - Impulse and Momentum - Focus On Concepts - Page 190: 1

Answer

b) is correct.

Work Step by Step

$$KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^2$$ $$\vec{p}=m\vec{v}$$ Kinetic energy is a scalar quantity, so it concerns only with the magnitude of velocity. Because 2 cars have the same mass and same velocity, they have the same kinetic energy. Momentum is a vector, so the direction of the velocity vector is of importance, too. Therefore, because 2 cars drive in 2 different directions, their momenta are different. b) is correct.
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