Understandings, Applications

and Skills

Momentum and
Impulse
IB Physics - SL

Linear Momentum Formula for Linear Momentum

• Linear Momentum: The product of the • Formula for linear momentum: 𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣

mass of a moving object and its velocity • Unit:
𝑘𝑔∙𝑚
𝑠

• Vector quantity • Because linear momentum is a vector quantity, we

• For any given mass, linear momentum is often analyze its components:
𝑝𝑥 = 𝑚𝑣𝑥
directly proportional to the velocity 𝑝𝑦 = 𝑚𝑣𝑦
• For any given velocity, linear
momentum is directly proportional to
the mass

Impulse Impulse

• Formula for impulse: 𝐹∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝

• Impulse: The change in an object’s 𝑘𝑔∙𝑚
• Unit: 𝑁 ∙ 𝑠 =
momentum 𝑠
• Because force and linear momentum are vector quantities, we
• The product of the net force and the often analyze components:
time interval over which the force is 𝐹𝑥 ∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝𝑥
applied
𝐹𝑦 ∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝𝑦

• If force is not constant, average force in our calculations can

be used
• Average Force: The constant force that would yield the same
impulse as the changing force does in the same time interval

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 Impulse Momentum and Impulse

• Since 𝐹∆𝑡 = ∆𝑝,

impulse is equal
to the area under
the graph of
force vs. time

Momentum and Newton’s

Second Law of Motion
• Rate of change of momentum of a body is directly
proportional to the unbalanced force acting on that
body and takes place in same direction
Momentum, Impulse and Force
• Amount of force required to change the momentum of a
body is related to the time of application of the force
• Important when designing structures such as car frames
• Less rigid material  longer duration of collision 
less force exerted on driver  less injury to driver

Sample Problem 1 Sample Problem 1 - Solution

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Sample Problem 2
Sample Problem 2 - Solution
Law of Conservation of Linear
Momentum
• Law of Conservation of Linear Momentum: If
the net force acting on a system of
interacting objects is zero, then the linear
momentum of the system before the
interaction equals the linear momentum of
the system after the interaction
𝑝𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 = 𝑝′𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚
Sample Problem 2 - Solution
Sample Problem 2 - Solution
Conservation of Linear
Momentum
• In two object systems, change in
momentum of object 1 is equal in
magnitude but opposite in direction to
the change in momentum of object 2
∆𝑝1 = −∆𝑝2
𝑚1 ∆𝑣1 = −𝑚2 ∆𝑣2
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Sample Problem 3 Sample Problem 3 - Solution

Sample Problem 3 - Solution Sample Problem 3 - Solution

Sample Problem 4 Sample Problem 4 - Solution

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Sample Problem 4 - Solution Practice

• Exercises 29, 30, 38, 39