Question

In the activity test tube is heavy and the cork is light. which of the two will move fast and why

Answer 1

the test tube will move fast because the water present in it become vapour

Answer 2

This is a question on linear momentum.

The laws of linear momentum states that:

Initial momentum = Final momentum.

Momentum = mass × Velocity

Given that the cork and the test tube are initially at rest, the initial momentum equals to 0.

Now let :

M1 and V1 be the mass and velocity of the test tube and M2 and V2 be the mass and velocity of the cork.

The final momentum = -M1V1 + M2V2

Since the test tube moves in the opposite direction we use a negative sign.

Given that:

M2V2 - M1V1 = 0

It means the two momentum must be equal.

Since the test tube is heavier than the cork , it implies that it will have a lower velocity for the momentum to be equal.

Therefore the cork moves faster.