Momentum

When a moving object (e.g. a car) hits on something (e.g. a wall), it causes certain amount of damages.
The amount of damages depends on the __________________ and the _______________ of the object.

Mass Velocity Damage

negligible negligible Negligible
negligible large may be small
large negligible may be small
large large Huge

Scientists combined these 2 quantities together into a single quantity called linear momentum, p.
 
Definition of momentum: p  mv
Momentum is a vector: direction of p = ____________
Unit of momentum: _______

Momentum of an object indicates the potential damaging ability of the object upon collision. The greater
the momentum of an object, the more damages it may cause during collision.
In other words, momentum is a measure of the difficulty in stopping a moving object.
Example
A 0.3 kg football is being kicked with a speed 10 ms-1 towards a wall. If the ball rebounds back with the
same speed, what is the change in momentum of the ball?

Momentum-P.1
Change of Momentum and Net Force

Example
An object is being pulled by a force F on a smooth horizontal surface.
smooth F
(a) What will happen to its momentum?
(b) After some time, the force is suddenly removed. What will happen to its momentum?
(a) Its velocity will increase. Hence, its momentum will also increase.
(b) When there is no force acting on it, its velocity and hence its momentum remain constant.
Example
Describe how the momentum changes in the following situations.
Its momentum changes
(a) An apple falling from a tree. continuously / suddenly
(b) A toy car sliding on the floor. continuously / suddenly
(c) A fast moving tennis ball is being hit back with the same speed. continuously / suddenly

Net force
_____________________ acting on an object causes its momentum to change.
a continuous change in momentum.
Continuous application of force on an object leads to ______________
a sudden change in momentum.
Sudden application of force on an object leads to _______________

Example
A 2 kg box, placed on a smooth floor, is being pulled by a horizontal force F. If the box is initially at rest,
find the amount of momentum increase in every second for (a) F = 4 N, (b) F = 10 N. 4 kgms-1; 10 kgms-1

smooth F

By Fnet = ma  a = Fnet/m  velocity gain for every second v = a(1) = Fnet/m

(a) Velocity gain for every second = 4/m momentum increase in every second = 4 kgms-1
(b) Velocity gain for every second = 10/m momentum increase in every second = 10 kgms-1

greater rate.
Greater force  momentum change at a __________

(𝑣−𝑢)
Newton’s 2nd law: Fnet = ma = 𝑚 ∆𝑡

Δ𝑝
 Fnet = = rate of change of momentum
Δ𝑡

Newton’s 2nd law can also be written as:

The net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the object.
Momentum-P.2
Example
The diagram below shows a 30 g bullet penetrating through a fixed wooden board in 1 ms. The speed of
the bullet decreases from 150 ms-1 to 120 ms-1.
Find the friction acting on the bullet when penetrating the board. 900 N 150 ms-1 120 ms-1

∆𝑝 𝑚𝑣−𝑚𝑢 0.03(120−150)
f= = = = −900 𝑁
∆𝑡 𝑡 0.001
(-ve means that f is in the opposite direction of u)

Example
A ball of mass 0.1 kg hits a wall horizontally at 15 ms–1 and rebounds at half of the speed. If the time of
impact is 4 ms, what is the average force acting on the ball? 562.5 N
–1
15 ms

∆𝑝 𝑚𝑣−𝑚𝑢 0.1(−7.5−15)
F = ∆𝑡 = 𝑡
= 0.004
= −562.5 𝑁
(-ve means that F is in the opposite direction of u)
7.5 ms–1

Impulse and Change in Momentum

Example
Which of the following guns can shoot further? Why?

A B

Gun A has a longer barrel  the bullet experiences the force of explosion for a longer time
the bullet will accelerate to a higher speed and shoot further

Scientists combined the quantities (force and the time of application of the force) together into a single
term called impulse, I.
Definition of impulse: I = Ft
Ns
Unit of impulse: ______
Physical meaning of impulse:
F = ma
 Ft = mat = m(v – u) = mv – mu = increase in momentum
 Impulse = increase in momentum
Ft = p called Impulse-Momentum Theorem
Momentum-P.3
Expt 5a Investigating the force of impact
Objective
To study the force of impact acting on an object during a collision.
Set-up

Set up the apparatus as shown (Fig a). Start data-logging

and slightly push the trolley from rest so it moves down
the inclined runway and collides with the force sensor.
Note the v–t graph and force–time (F–t) graph obtained.

Fig.a
https://players.brightcove.net/6144772950001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6182486597001

Results and conclusion

- The v–t and F–t graphs obtained are shown below (Fig b and c).

Fig b Fig c
- 0.05 s
From Figure c, the time of impact is about _________.
- impulse acting on
The area under the F–t graph is equal to the ___________________________ the trolley.
Example
Refer to the F–t graph obtained in Experiment 5a (Fig a). The area under the graph is 0.44 N s.

Fig a
(a) Find the maximum force acting on the sensor during the impact.
(b) What is the change in momentum of the trolley?
(c) Estimate the average force acting during the impact.
(a) Maximum force = 14.4 N
(b) Change in momentum = area under F–t graph = 0.44 kgms-1
(c) Time of impact = 0.05 s
Average force = p/t = 0.44/0.05 = 8.8 N
Momentum-P.4
 Area under F-t graph
= Impulse
= change in momentum

Time of impact
- Depends on the hardness of the object
- Hardness   time of impact 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00I2uXDxbaE

Actual force variation Average force of impact

Different impacts
A. Hit-to-stop
B. Hit-to-go Only one of the colliding objects is considered.
C. Hit and rebound
(A) Impact (Hit-to-stop) (e.g. a car crashes into a tree)
 Final velocity v = 0  Momentum change p = 0 – mu = -mu (p does not depend on the impact)
p  mu
 Force of impact = = (-ve  the force of impact opposes the direction of motion)
t time of impact
 Force of impact can be reduced by increasing the time of impact (all safety measures use this
concept to reduce the force of impact e.g. air-bag, safety belt, crumple zone of car,
soft/elastic material, …)
 For hitting the ground, force of impact = |p/t| + mg

Momentum-P.5
Example
A 65 kg man jumps from a height of 1 m onto the floor. Explain the difference in the force of impact
(a) if he does not bend his knees upon landing
(b) if he bends his knees upon landing
(Hint: compare the change in momentum and the time for stopping in both cases)

greater force is needed for a sudden stop. A _____________

A ____________ smaller is need for a gradual stop.
increasing the time of impact.
 The force of impact can be reduced by __________________
Daily Examples
Explain why the crumple zone of a car is a safety
Crumple zone Crumple zone design of a car.

During collision, it takes time for the

crumple zone to deform. Hence, it
lengthens the stopping time of the car
and the passengers. Consequently, the
force of impact on the passengers is
reduced which reduces the injury.

In the design of a seat belt, it is allowed to extend a little bit when collision
occurs. Explain why this design is important.
Lengthen the
Since the seat belt can extend a little bit, it increases the stopping
impact and, to
time ofthe
reduce the passenger. The stopping force acting on the passenger
is thenforce
impact reduced and the injury is reduced.
If the seat belt cannot extend during collision, the passenger will
be stopped suddenly by the seat belt. Hence, the seat belt will
exert a large force on the passenger. It may injure the passenger.

Explain why the airbag installed in a car can reduce the injury of
the driver upon collision.
The airbag prevents the driver from hitting on
hard surface so that the time of impact is
increased. Hence, the force of impact on the
driver can be reduced.

Momentum-P.6
 Explain why a crash cushion system is a design for road safety.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3n3FJBSysY&ab_channel=TrafFixDevices%2CInc.TrafFixDevices%2CInc.

During collision, it takes time for collapsing the cushion

system hence it lengthens the stopping time of the car
and the passengers. Consequently, the force of impact
on the passengers is reduced.

In playing judo, when a competitor is being thrown onto the floor,

explain why it is important for him to “roll” a little on the floor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQrk192dkRI&ab_channel=JudoLife

It lengthens the stopping time of the player which

reduces the force of impact on him.

Heading may cause injury to players’ heads especially when the ball is
wet and moving at high speed. Explain why players usually withdraw
their heads slightly when heading a football.

It lengthens the stopping time which reduces the

force of impact on the player’s head.
Example
(a) A 1000 kg car moving with a speed of 80 kmh-1 crashes directly towards a rigid wall, the crumple
zone of the car deforms and brings the car to stop in 0.8 s. Find the average force of impact acting
on the car. [2.78x104 N]
(b) The driver, 65 kg in mass, inside has not worn the seat belt.
i. What is the speed of the driver when hitting onto the steering wheel of the car? Why?
ii. If the driver is brought to rest in 0.2 s after hitting onto the steering wheel, find the force of
impact acting on the driver. [7.22x103N]
(c) i. If the driver has worn a seat belt, estimate the force of impact acting on him. [1.81x103N]
ii. If the seat belt can stretch a little bit during collision, compare the actual force of impact acting
on the driver with your answer in (c)(i). Why?
(a) (Since you have to find the force of impact on the car, the data used should be related to the car.)
u = 80 kmh-1 = 22.2 ms-1 force of impact on the car F1 = p/t = (0 - 100022.2)/0.8 = -27750 N
(For (b) & (c), you have to find the force acting on the driver, the data used should be related to the driver.)
(b) i. Speed of the driver = speed of the car = 22.2 ms-1
ii. Force of impact on the driver F2 = p/t = (0 - 6522.2)/0.2 = -7215 N
(c) i. If the driver has worn a seat belt, he will stop together with the car. Hence, he stops in 0.8 s.
Force of impact on the driver F3 = p/t = (0 - 6522.2)/0.8 = -1804 N
ii. If the seat belt can stretch a little bit during collision, the stopping time of the driver will then
slightly longer than that of the car (i.e. more than 0.8 s). Hence, the force acting on the man can
further be reduced (i.e. less than 1804 N)
Momentum-P.7
(B) Impact (Hit-to-go)
e.g. kicking a football, hitting a golf, serving a tennis ball, playing shot put, shooting an arrow
 u = 0, momentum change = mv – 0 = Ft (the value mv depends on the impact)
 For a given time of impact, the greater the force of impact, the higher the speed of the object.
 For a given force, the longer the time of application of the force, the higher the speed of the object.

Example (shot put)

Explain why a man who follows the following glide positions in projecting a lead ball can throw further
than the man who just stands still during the projection.

A man who follows the glide positions exerts the force on the ball for a
longer time. A greater impulse and hence the increase in momentum and
speed of the ball is greater. It can then be thrown further.
Follow-through action in sports https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF8A2zdAfAs&ab_channel=GolfswingHDGolfswingHD
 In racket and bat sports, like golf, tennis, cricket, squash, badminton and baseball, hitters are often
encouraged to follow-through (i.e. keep the racket/bat going with the ball for some distance) when
striking a ball.
 To “follow-through” is not for increasing the hitting force but for increasing the time of application
of the force (i.e. the hitting force can affect the motion for a longer time). Hence, the impulse and
the increase in momentum will be greater. The ball will then leave with higher velocity.
 The hitting force only depends on how hard or how fast the hitter swings the bat or racket, not the
time of impact.

Example (javelin)
In playing javelin, it consists of two actions i.e. the running and the throwing actions. A coherent
combination of these actions will result in good record.
(a) What is the purpose of the running action?
(b) The following diagrams show the typical throwing action. Explain why this action can help the player
to throw further.
(a) It provides an initial velocity to the
javelin.
(b) It lengthens the time of application
of the force on the javelin. Hence,
the impulse and the increase in
momentum will be greater. The
javelin will then leave with a higher
velocity.
Momentum-P.8
Example
A woman, driving a golf ball off a tee, gives the ball a velocity of 28 ms-1. The mass of the ball is 0.045
kg, and the duration of the impact with the golf club is 6 ms.
(a) What is the change in momentum of the ball? [1.26 kgms-1]
(b) Determine the average force applied to the ball by the club? [210 N]

(a) p = mv – mu = (0.045)(28) – 0 = 1.26 kgms-1

(b) By Ft = p  F(0.006) = 1.26  F = 210 N

Example
The diagram below shows a catapult for projecting a small stone at high speed. In order to project the
stone forward at high speed, the stone is pull backward together with the rubber band and then release
to fire.
(a) If the average force exerted by the rubber band is 20 N and it takes 0.1 s to project a 20 g stone
outward, find the speed of projection. [100 ms-1]
(b) It is not difficult for the catapult user to exert a force of 20 N. However, it is difficult for the user to
throw a 20 g stone with the speed in (a). Why?

(a) By Ft = mv – mu  20(0.1) = (0.02)v – 0  v = 100 ms-1

(b) If we use our hand to throw the stone, our arm is too
heavy to be accelerated. Hence, it is not easy to
accelerate the stone to such a high speed.
Example
The diagrams below show the pitcher and the catcher in playing baseball.
(a) Who exerts the greater impulse on a baseball, the pitcher or the catcher?
(b) Who exerts the greater force on a baseball, the pitcher or the catcher?
(c) Explain why the catcher has to wear a big mitt for catching the baseball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSA0-s-exnY

(a) Impulse = p Pitcher: momentum changes from 0 to mv

Catcher: momentum changes from mv to 0 Same impulse
(b) F = p/t As throwing time of the pitcher > catching time of the catcher
 the catcher exerts a greater force on the baseball.
(c) Since the force of impact is great, the big mitt is used to protect the catcher’s palm
from injury.
Momentum-P.9
(C) Impact (Hit and rebound)
e.g. hitting back a tennis ball, heading a football, a ball bouncing vertically
 The final momentum and the initial momentum are in opposite direction (v and u are in opposite sign)
 Be careful in finding the momentum change (p equals to the sum of the magnitudes of the initial and
final momenta)
 For horizontal impact: Force of impact = p/t
 For hitting the ground: Force of impact = |p/t| + mg

Example (horizontal impact)

A baseball (m=145 g) has an initial velocity of 38 ms-1 as it approaches the bat. The bat applies a force
that is much larger than the weight of the ball, and the ball departs from the bat with a final velocity of
58 ms-1. The contact time between the bat and ball is 4 ms. Find the average force exerted on the ball
by the bat. [3480 N]

By Ft = mv – mu
Taking the return direction as +ve
F(0.004) = 0.145(58) – 0.145(-38)
 F = 3480 N

Example (vertical impact)

A 0.62 kg basketball is dropped from a height of 20 m and rebounds from the ground.
(a) Find the speed of the basketball just before hitting the ground. [19.8 ms-1]
(b) If 25% of its kinetic energy is lost in the collision, find the speed of the basketball just after the
rebound. [17.2 ms-1]
(c) If the time of impact is 10 ms, find the force of impact on the ground. [2301 N]

(a) PE lost = KE gained  mgh = ½mu2  …  u = 19.8 ms-1

(b) ½mv2 = 0.75(½mu2)  …  v = 17.2 ms-1
(c) Consider upward is +ve
Net force causing the momentum change,
Fnet = p/t = [0.62(17.2) – 0.62(-19.8)]/0.01 = 2294.6 N N +ve
Fnet = N – mg
 Force of impact, N = Fnet + mg v u
= 2294.6 + 0.629.81 = 2301 N
mg

Momentum-P.10
Different kinds of collision https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmBW7WZQLXQ
Collision

Some K.E. loss as

No K.E. loss heat & sound

Elastic Inelastic Stick together Perfectly/Completely

Collision Collision after collision Inelastic Collision

e.g. collision between like charges; e.g. collisions in our daily life
like magnetic poles; gas molecules

Conservation of momentum
The following setups can be used to study the momenta of the trolleys before and after collision.
Motion senor A

trolley A
trolley B
Horizontal
runway
Motion senor B

weight
Data-logger

https://players.brightcove.net/6144772950001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6182489366001 https://players.brightcove.net/6144772950001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6182486383001

Setup A Setup B

Momentum-P.11
Example
(a) What kind of collision can be studied by setup A?
(b) Suggest a practical mean which can be used to stick the trolley together after
collision.
(a) Perfectly inelastic collision.
(b) Attach hooks and loops of Velcro tape on the front of A and
the rear of B respectively.
Hook & loop strips

Example
(a) What kind of collision can be studied by setup B?
(b) Suggest a practical mean so that setup B can be used to study elastic collision.
(a) Inelastic collision.
(b) Attach like magnetic poles on the front of A and the rear of B respectively.
From the above experiments, the total momentum of the trolleys remains unchanged before and after the
collision. It is the consequence of the law of conservation of momentum.
The total momentum of a system is conserved, provided
that there is no external net force acting on the system.
For a system of two bodies A and B, the law of conservation of momentum can be represented by

mAuA + mBuB = mAvA + mBvB

Note the following when applying the law of conservation of momentum.

(a) NO external force is exerted by an object outside a system.
(b) The forces acting between objects within a system are internal forces.
(c) Only the total momentum of a system is conserved. The momentum of each individual object in the
system is not conserved.

Example
Balls A and B move towards each other on a smooth horizontal surface and collide head-on. Their masses and
velocities before the collision are shown below.

Ball B stops after the collision.

(a) Find the velocity of ball A after the collision. -4 ms-1
(b) Find the change in total KE of the balls. -48 J
(c) State the energy conversion during the collision.
(d) What type of collision is involved?

Momentum-P.12
Solution
(a) Take the direction towards the right as positive.
By conservation of momentum,
mAuA + mBuB = mAvA + mBvB
(1)(8) + (3)(-4) = (1)vA + 0
vA = -4 ms-1
4 ms-1 towards the ____________.
The velocity of ball A is ____________ left
(b) Change in total KE = total KE after collision  total KE before collision
= ½(1)(-4)2 - [½(1)(8)2 + ½(3)(-4)2]
= -48 J
48 J
The total KE of the balls increases / decreases by ____________.
heat and sound energy
(c) The KE lost of the balls is converted into _______________________________________.
inelastic collision.
(d) It is an _________________

Example

The above diagrams show the motion of balls A and B before and after the collision.
(a) Find the velocity of B after the collision. 4 ms-1
(b) What kind of collision has occurred? Inelastic collision
(c) Find the momentum change of ball A and that of ball B after the collision. A: - 8 kgms-1; B: +8 kgms-1
(d) Comment on the results in (c).

(a) By mAuA + mBuB = mAvA + mBvB

(2)(5) + (1)(-4) = (2)(1) + (1)vB
 vB = 4 ms-1
(b) Initial total KE = ½(2)(5)2 + ½(1)(-4)2 = 33 J
Final total KE = ½(2)(1)2 + ½(1)(4)2 = 9 J < initial total KE
 the collision is inelastic.
(c) For A: pA = mA(vA – uA) = 2(1 – 5) = -8 kgms-1
For B: pB = mB(vB – uB) = (1)[4 – (-4)] = 8 kgms-1
(d) From the result of (c), we have momentum lost from A = momentum gained by B
In other words, there is momentum transfer from A to B during collision. Hence, the total momentum of
A and B remains unchanged (i.e. conserved) before and after the collision.

Example
Complete the following table with  and .
Total momentum conserved Total KE conserved Remark
Elastic collision  
Inelastic collision   energy lost as heat/sound
Completely inelastic collision   energy lost as heat/sound
Explosion   KE comes from the explosive/EPE

Momentum-P.13
Example
Trolleys A and B are placed end to end on a smooth horizontal
surface as shown. A plunger is installed on trolley A. At the
beginning, the plunger is loaded and the spring is compressed
by the plunger.
When the button on trolley A is hit, the plunger as well as the spring is released. The two trolleys ‘explode’ and
move in opposite directions.
(a) Explain whether the total momentum of the trolleys is conserved during the ‘explosion’.
(b) Does the total KE of the trolleys conserve in the ‘explosion’? Why?
Solution
(a) The total momentum of the trolleys is / is not conserved during the ‘explosion’ as there is / is no external net
force acting on the trolley system.
the EPE in the spring
increase in total KE. The KE of the trolleys comes from ___________________________.
(b) There is ________________

Example
(a) Explain why it is necessary to hold the gun firm when firing a gun.
(b) A 2 kg pistol fires a 20 g bullet with a speed of 400 ms-1. Find the speed of
recoil of the gun. 4 ms-1
(c) The user wants to stop the gun within 0.1 s after firing, find the force needed
by his hand. 80 N
(a) In order to keep the total momentum conserves, the gun will move backward (recoil) upon firing.
(b) By mAuA + mBuB = mAvA + mBvB 0 = 2v + 0.02(400)  velocity of recoil v = - 4 ms-1
(c) F = p/t = 2[0 –(-4)]/0.1 = 80 N

Example
Identical balls P and Q move in the same direction at 5 ms1 and 3 ms1
respectively. What are their velocities after collision? Assume the
friction acting on the balls can be neglected and the collision is elastic.
3 ms1, 5 ms1

By muP + muQ = mvP + mvQ

5 + 3 = vP + vQ ……………. 
Elastic collision  no KE loss
 ½m(5)2 + ½m(3)2 = ½mvP2 + ½mvQ2
 (5)2 + (3)2 = vP2 + vQ2 ……………. 

Solving  and 

vP = 3 ms-1 and vQ = 5 ms-1

In general, for elastic collision of 2 identical balls, they will interchange their velocities after the collision.

Momentum-P.14
Momentum conservation vs Newton’s 3rd Law
Conservation of momentum
 mAuA + mBuB = mAvA + mBvB
 – ( mAvA - mAuA) = (mBvB – mBuB)
– ( mAvA - mAuA)/t = (mBvB – mBuB)/t where t is the time of impact
 – FA = FB
 Impact force on A & impact force on B have equal magnitude but opposite direction.  Newton’s 3rd law.
 Newton’s 3rd law  conservation of momentum

Apparent non-conservation of Momentum

Consider a lump of plasticine falling onto the ground. It sticks on the ground upon collision and the momentum of
the lump becomes zero. The momentum of the lump does not conserve because of the existence of
force of impact from the ground.
external force which is the _____________________
_________________

The force of impact,

A lump of which happens inside
A lump of If only the lump is the system, is treated
considered, the force of plasticine an internal force.
plasticine
impact, which comes Force of
from outside, is treated impact
as an external force.

Force of impact

If both the lump and the Earth are taken into consideration, their total momentum should be conserved. However,
the mass of the Earth is so large (61024 kg), the speed after collision is too small to be noticed. Hence, it seems
that the total momentum was not conserved.

Example
Pob P moves towards and sticks to a lump of plasticine, which is fixed to the ground. In this collision, the total
momentum of P and the plasticine is not conserved. Explain briefly.
Momentum can only conserve when there is no external force
acting on the system. Since the plasticine is sticking on the
ground, the friction is an external force which causes the non-
conservation of momentum of P and the plasticine.
Momentum and KE
Example
An object with mass m moving with speed v, express its KE in terms of its momentum p.

1 2 (𝑚𝑣)2 𝑝2
KE = 2 𝑚𝑣 = 2𝑚
= 2𝑚

1 2
𝑝2
𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 =
2 2𝑚
Momentum-P.15
Example
A trolley of mass M moving with speed u arriving a small box of mass m. When the trolley is just below the box,
the box is released onto the trolley and moves with it.
(a) Find the common speed of them. m
(b) Find the % of energy lost.
u
M
(a) The situation is equivalent to completely inelastic collision.
By conservation of momentum  Mu = (M+m)v
 common speed v = Mu/(M+m)
1
𝐾𝐸𝑖 −𝐾𝐸𝑓 (𝑀+𝑚)𝑣 2 𝑚
(b) % energy lost = =1−2 1
𝑀𝑢2
= ….. =
𝐾𝐸𝑖
2
𝑀+𝑚

𝑝2
𝑝2 𝑝2 2(𝑀+𝑚) 𝑀 𝑚
OR 𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 2𝑀
𝐾𝐸𝑓 = 2(𝑀+𝑚)
% energy lost = 1 - 𝑝2
=1- =
𝑀+𝑚 𝑀+𝑚
2𝑀
Example
A stationary object explodes into 2 unequal fragments of mass M and m respectively. Find percentage of energy
shared by the lighter fragment in terms of their masses.

If momentum of m = p  momentum of M = -p

 % of energy shared by the lighter fragment

𝑝2 1
KE of m 2𝑚 𝑚 𝑀
= = 𝑝2 (−𝑝)2
= 1 1 =
KE of m + KE of M + + 𝑀+𝑚
2𝑚 2𝑀 𝑚 𝑀

𝑀
% of energy shared by the lighter fragment = more the energy share.
the lighter the fragment m, the ________
𝑀+𝑚

 In an alpha emission from heavy nuclei, the  particles will share most of
the energy in the radioactive decay.

Example
The diagram below shows the top view of a man standing on a trolley moving on a smooth railway. They move
with a speed u to the right.

(a) decrease
If the man suddenly jumps to the forward direction A, the speed of the trolley will ________________.
(b) increase
If the man suddenly jumps to the backward direction B, the speed of the trolley will ________________.
(c) not change
If the man suddenly jumps to the left direction C, the speed of the trolley will ________________.
(d) Given: M = 100 kg, m = 70 kg, u = 2 ms1. The man jumps forward so that his speed becomes 2.5 ms-1, find
the total initial KE and the total final KE of the man and the trolley before and after his jump. Explain the
difference. 340 J; 355 J
Total KE before the jump = ½(100 + 70)(2)2 = 340 J
Conservation of momentum  (100+70)(2) = 100v + 70(2.5)  v = 1.65 ms-1
Total KE after the jump = ½(100)(1.65)2 + ½(70)(2.5)2 = 355 J
The situation is similar to “explosion”. The KE gained comes from the energy provided by the man.
Momentum-P.16