Balancing Momentum: Calculating Velocities for Vehicles of Different Masses

Momentum (p) is calculated by multiplying the mass (m) of an object by its velocity (v). This formula of p = m * v shows that the momentum of the big rig and the electric vehicle will be the same if m1v1 = m2v2. To find the velocity (v2) of the electric vehicle, the formula becomes v2 = m1v1 / m2. Here, m1, v1 is the mass and velocity of the big rig, and m2 is the mass of the electric vehicle. Given that m1 = 61000 kg, v1 = 0.5 m/s, and m2 = 730 kg, we solve: v2 = (61000 kg * 0.5 m/s) / 730 kg = approximately 41.78 m/s So, in order for the compact electric vehicle to have the same momentum as the Rocky Mountain Double, it would have to travel at about 41.78 m/s.