Question:medium

Two bodies of mass 4 g and 25 g are moving with equal kinetic energies. The ratio of the magnitude of their linear momentum is:

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • 3:5

  • 2:5
  • 5:4

  • 4:5

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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To find the ratio of the magnitudes of linear momentum for two bodies with identical kinetic energies, one must first understand the relationships connecting kinetic energy, mass, and momentum.

Concepts Used:

  • The kinetic energy of an object is calculated using the formula: \(KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2\), where \(m\) represents mass and \(v\) denotes velocity.
  • Linear momentum of an object is defined as: \(p = mv\).

Given:

  • Mass of body 1: \(m_1 = 4\) g
  • Mass of body 2: \(m_2 = 25\) g
  • Equal kinetic energies: \(KE_1 = KE_2\)

Step-by-step Solution:

1. Formulate the kinetic energy expression for each body:

  • Body 1: \(KE_1 = \frac{1}{2} m_1 v_1^2\)
  • Body 2: \(KE_2 = \frac{1}{2} m_2 v_2^2\)

2. Equate the expressions due to equal kinetic energies:

\(\frac{1}{2} m_1 v_1^2 = \frac{1}{2} m_2 v_2^2\)

Remove the \(\frac{1}{2}\) factor and rearrange the equation:

\(m_1 v_1^2 = m_2 v_2^2\)

3. Express the velocities relative to each other:

\(v_1^2 = \frac{m_2}{m_1} v_2^2\)

4. Determine the ratio of velocities:

\(\frac{v_1}{v_2} = \sqrt{\frac{m_2}{m_1}} = \sqrt{\frac{25}{4}} = \frac{5}{2}\)

5. Express the ratio of the magnitudes of linear momentum (\((p_1/p_2)\)) as follows:

\(\frac{p_1}{p_2} = \frac{m_1 v_1}{m_2 v_2}\)

Substitute the given values and the derived velocity ratio:

\(\frac{p_1}{p_2} = \frac{4 \cdot \frac{5}{2}v_2}{25 \cdot v_2} = \frac{20}{50} = \frac{2}{5}\)

The resulting ratio of their linear momentum is \(2:5\).

Conclusion:

The calculated ratio is 2:5, which aligns with the provided correct answer.

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