Answer to Question #277607 in Physics for grey tyrant

Question

Explain how the following situations are affected by impulse and momentum.

Suppose a plane and a boat are both moving in the same direction along the ocean. The plane is much faster than the boat. Is it correct to assume that the plane will always have a higher momentum compared to the boat? If yes, explain why. If no, explain when the boat can have a higher momentum than the plane. .

Answer 1

Depends on the mass and velocity. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity. A slow boat with a very high mass (a ship) may have a higher momentum than a light but fast RC airplane. Generally speaking, since aircraft are heavy and fast, their momentum is greater.