HESI Exams Quizlet Physics Related

Review HESI Exams Quizlet Physics related questions and content

A 2,000-kg car travels at 15 m/s. For a 1,500-kg car traveling at 15 m/s to generate the same momentum, what would need to happen?

  • A. It would need to accelerate to 20 m/s.
  • B. It would need to add 500 kg in mass.
  • C. Both A and B
  • D. Either A or B
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Momentum is calculated as the product of mass and velocity. Since momentum is conserved in the absence of external forces, for the 1,500-kg car to generate the same momentum as the 2,000-kg car at 15 m/s, it would need to increase its velocity to compensate for the difference in mass. Accelerating to 20 m/s would achieve this without needing to change the mass of the car. Choice B is incorrect because adding mass is not necessary to match momentum in this scenario.