6
QuizMultiple Choice

Lab: Conservation of Linear Momentum — Unit test

Question 6 • [HSPHY] Physics Sem 1 (26-27)

A boy is running to the east and jumps into a stationary boat in a lake. Once the boy lands in the boat, the boat moves to the east.

Answer
A
The initial momentum of the boy is zero because the velocity cancels with the mass of the boy.
B
The initial momentum of the boy is greater than the boy/boat because the boy has a greater velocity than the boat.
C
The initial momentum of the boy is less than the boy/boat because the boy has less mass than the boat.
D
The initial momentum of the boy is equal to the boy/boat because the final velocity of the boat is less than the initial velocity of the boy.

Explanation

Momentum is conserved when the boy lands in the boat, assuming external forces are negligible. Initially, the stationary boat has zero momentum, so the total momentum is the boy’s momentum. After landing, the boy and boat move together; their combined momentum equals that initial momentum, even though their shared velocity is lower than the boy’s original velocity. Therefore, the initial momentum of the boy is equal to the momentum of the boy and boat, as choice D states.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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