Question

which of the following would decrease momentum? answer options: select one of four increasing velocity decreasing air resistance increasing mass decreasing mass

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 either decrease mass or decrease velocity (assuming mass is constant or velocity is constant, respectively). Let's analyze each option:

• "Increasing velocity": Since \( p = mv \), increasing velocity would increase momentum (if mass is constant), so this is incorrect.
• "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 this is incorrect.
• "Increasing mass": From \( p = mv \), increasing mass (with constant velocity) would increase momentum, so this is incorrect.
• "Decreasing mass": Using \( p = mv \), if mass (\( m \)) decreases (with constant velocity or even if velocity changes in a way that doesn't compensate), momentum will decrease. For example, if an object loses mass (like a rocket burning fuel), its momentum (if velocity doesn't increase enough) will decrease. So this is the correct option.

Answer:

D. Decreasing mass