How Do You Calculate the Mass of a Blue Whale Using Momentum?

In summary, we calculated the mass of a female blue whale if it swims at a velocity of 57.0 km/h and has a momentum of 2.15*10^6 kgm/s to be 1.36x10^5kg. For the second question, we determined that the 900.0-kg truck traveling at 60 km/hr has a greater value for the magnitude of its momentum than the 500.0-kg car traveling at the same speed. For the second pair, both objects have equal momentum due to their opposite directions of movement. Lastly, the 900-kg truck at rest has a greater magnitude of momentum than a mosquito flying at 2 m/s.
  • #1
danield3
1
0
1. The blue whale is the largest mammal ever to inhabit Earth. Calculate the mass of a female blue whale if, when alarmed, it swims at a velocity of 57.0 km/h [E] and has a momentum of 2.15*10^6 kgm/s [E].

mass=momentum/velocity = 2.15x10^6kgm/s / 15.8m/s

mass=1.36x10^5kg2. Use reasoning to determine if one of the following objects in each of these pairs has a greater value for the magnitude of its momentum than the other. (No calculations should be required.)

a. a 900.0-kg truck traveling at 60 km/hr, or a 500.0-kg car traveling at 60 km/hr
900.0 kg

b. a 15.0-kg object traveling to the right at 5.0 m/s, or a 15.0-kg object traveling to the left at 5.0 m/s

both
c. a 900-kg truck at rest, or a 500-kg car at rest
900 kg

d. a 900-kg truck at rest, or a mosquito flying at 2 m/s

Mosquito
 
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  • #2
Your approach to the first one looks right..(havent checked calculations)

ummm... how have you approached the 2nd question?
 

Related to How Do You Calculate the Mass of a Blue Whale Using Momentum?

1. What is the definition of momentum in physics?

Momentum is a measure of an object's motion and is defined as the product of its mass and velocity. In other words, momentum = mass x velocity.

2. How is momentum different from velocity?

Velocity is a measure of an object's speed and direction, while momentum also takes into account the object's mass. Two objects can have the same velocity but different momentums due to differences in their masses.

3. What is the principle of conservation of momentum?

The principle of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, the total momentum before a collision or interaction is equal to the total momentum after the collision or interaction. This means that momentum is conserved and cannot be created or destroyed.

4. How does momentum affect the motion of objects?

Momentum is a quantity that describes an object's tendency to continue moving in a certain direction. The greater the momentum, the harder it is to stop or change the direction of an object's motion. This is why it is important in understanding the behavior of moving objects.

5. How is momentum used in real-world applications?

Momentum is a crucial concept in many fields, including engineering, sports, and transportation. It is used to design safer cars by understanding how much force is needed to stop them in a collision. In sports, momentum is used to analyze the movements of athletes and improve their performance. In transportation, momentum is considered in designing efficient and safe modes of transportation, such as trains and airplanes.

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