Question

If a car is traveling at 10 miles per hr. and then doubles its speed does the momentum double as well?

Answer 1

No, the momentum will actually quadruple. Linear momentum can be expressed by the equation \[mv ^{2}\] if the original velocity (v) is 10mph then the linear momentum would be \[m(10)^{2}\] which becomes 100m. If the speed doubles, the velocity is now 20mph, and your linear momentum becomes. \[m(20)^{2}\] which simplifies to 400m. As you can see, the linear moment went from 100m to 400m, a quadrupled amount.