A cat with a mass of 4 kg runs with a speed of \( 20 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s} \) while the dog with a mass of 16 kg runs with a speed of \( 5 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s} \) Which pet has larger magnitude of linear momentum? A. The cat B. The dog C. They have the same momentum

To find the pet with a larger magnitude of linear momentum, we use the formula for momentum, which is mass times velocity (\( p = mv \)). For the cat: \( p_{\text{cat}} = 4 \text{ kg} \times 20 \text{ m/s} = 80 \text{ kg m/s} \) For the dog: \( p_{\text{dog}} = 16 \text{ kg} \times 5 \text{ m/s} = 80 \text{ kg m/s} \) So, both the cat and the dog have the same momentum of \( 80 \text{ kg m/s} \). In this example, a fun fact is that momentum is a crucial concept in sports and exercise science! Athletes often use their body mass and speed strategically to maximize their momentum, enhancing performance in various sports, from track and field to wrestling. Also, ever wondered how cars maintain safety during crashes? Understanding linear momentum helps engineers design vehicles that can absorb impacts efficiently, protecting passengers. By calculating momentum before and after collisions, safety features like crumple zones and airbags are developed for better protection on the road!