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Multiple Choice
Which of the following sea creatures typically has the greatest momentum while swimming at top speed?
A
Great white shark
B
Blue whale
C
Dolphin
D
Giant squid
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of momentum. Momentum is a physical quantity defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. The formula for momentum is: , where is momentum, is mass, and is velocity.
Step 2: Compare the masses of the listed sea creatures. The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth, with a mass significantly greater than the great white shark, dolphin, or giant squid. This means the blue whale has the highest mass among the options.
Step 3: Consider the swimming speeds of the sea creatures. While the blue whale is not the fastest swimmer, it can still reach considerable speeds. Dolphins and great white sharks are faster swimmers, but their masses are much smaller compared to the blue whale.
Step 4: Apply the formula for momentum. Since momentum depends on both mass and velocity, the blue whale's extremely large mass compensates for its relatively lower speed, resulting in the greatest momentum compared to the other sea creatures.
Step 5: Conclude that the blue whale typically has the greatest momentum while swimming at top speed due to its massive size, even if its velocity is not the highest among the listed sea creatures.