Practicing Success
A light and a heavy body have equal momentum. Which one has greater K.E.? |
Both have equal K.E. The heavier body The lighter body Data given is incomplete |
The lighter body |
Let the two bodies be M and m such that M > m. According to question : MV = mv ... where V and v are their respective velocities. As M > m \(\Rightarrow\) V < v Let the kinetic energies be : K and k ... where K is the kinetic energy of the heavier particle and k is kinetic energy of the lighter particle. Let the momentum be : P We know : \(\text{Momentum} = \sqrt{2(\text{mass})(\text{kinetic energy})}\) \(\Rightarrow \text{kinetic energy} = \frac{\text{momentum}^2}{2(\text{mass})}\) \(\Rightarrow \text{kinetic energy} \propto \frac{1}{\text{mass}}\) \(\Rightarrow \frac{K}{k} = {m}{M}\) \(\text{Clearly, } K = \frac{m}{M}k \text{ and } k = \frac{M}{m} K\) \(\text{As } \frac{M}{m} > 1 \Rightarrow k > K\)
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