Balancing Momentum: Finding the Velocity of a Compact Electric Vehicle to Match a Big Rig

Momentum is a measure of the amount of motion an object has. It is calculated by multiplying mass by velocity. Given that the momentum of the Rocky Mountain Double (big rig) should be equal to the momentum of the compact electric vehicle, we can set up this equation: (mass of big rig)*(velocity of big rig) = (mass of vehicle)*(velocity of vehicle) If we substitute the provided values: (61,000 kg)*(0.5 m/s) = (730 kg)*(velocity of vehicle) After multiplying 61,000 kg and 0.5 m/s, you get 30,500 kg*m/s. Solving for the velocity of the vehicle will then be: 30,500 kg*m/s ÷ 730 kg = approximately 41.78 m/s So, in order for the 730-kg compact electric vehicle to have the same amount of momentum as the 61,000-kg big rig, it would have to travel approximately at 41.78 meters per second.