Calculate the velocity of a Ballistic missile having a mass of 300 kg, if it attains a momentum of 12000 kg m/s when launched from aircraft?

A : 60 m/s

B : 50 m/s

C : 40 m/s

D : 30 m/s

General Science

Physics

Motion

Answer

Option 3 : 40 m/s

Explanation

The Correct Answer is 40 m/s.

Concept:

Momentum is directly proportional to the mass of the object and its velocity, too.
Therefore the greater the mass of an object or the greater its velocity, the greater its momentum.
Momentum p is a vector, which has the same direction as velocity v.
The momentum SI unit is kg.m / s.

p = mv

Where,

p = Momentum

m = Mass

v = Velocity

Calculations:

Given that,

Momentum (p) = 12000 kg m/s ;

Mass (m) = 300 kg

Velocity (v) = ?

We know that,

Momentum (p) = Mass (m) × Velocity (v)

12000 kg m/s = 300 kg × v

v = 12000/ 300

= 40 m/s

Thus, the velocity of the Ballistic missile is 40 m/s.