Question

question:
which of the following would decrease momentum?

answer options:
select one of four
decreasing mass increasing velocity
increasing mass decreasing air resistance

Explanation:

Momentum is calculated by the formula \( p = mv \), where \( p \) is momentum, \( m \) is mass, and \( v \) is velocity. To decrease momentum, we can decrease mass or decrease velocity (since momentum is directly proportional to both). Let's analyze each option:

• Decreasing mass: Since \( p \propto m \), decreasing mass will decrease momentum.
• Increasing velocity: Since \( p \propto v \), increasing velocity will increase momentum.
• Increasing mass: Since \( p \propto m \), increasing mass will increase momentum.
• Decreasing air resistance: Air resistance affects motion (like slowing down due to drag), but it's not a direct factor in the momentum formula (\( p = mv \)). Decreasing air resistance would likely allow an object to maintain or increase velocity, which would not decrease momentum.

So the correct option is the one that decreases a factor (mass) directly related to momentum.

Answer:

A. Decreasing mass