A2 Physics Phy 04 Momentum

Momentum
Momentum is a measure of an object’s …………….. It is quite difficult to define
momentum in words, the momentum of an object is mathematically defined as the
product of ………………… and ………………. of the object.
Momentum is a ………… quantity and it has the direction of the ……………….
vector. Its SI unit is ……………………….

Change of momentum (Δp)

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎 = 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎 − 𝑰𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎
Δp = mv – mu
Rate of Change of Momentum
𝜟𝒑
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎 = 𝜟𝒕
𝑚𝑣−𝑚𝑢
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 =
𝑡
𝑚(𝑣 − 𝑢)
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 =
𝑡
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎 = … … … … … … … … ..
Note : Newton’s second law can be given in terms of rate of change of momentum
“The rate of change of ................................ of a body is ................................ proportional to the resultant
.............................. applied to the body, and it takes place in the same …………………. of the resultant force.”
Δp Δp Δp
𝐹𝛼 𝑡 𝐹= 𝑘 𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑘 = 1 ∴ 𝐹 = 𝑡 But, Δp = mv – mu
𝑚𝑣 – 𝑚𝑢 𝑚 (𝑣−𝑢)
𝐹= 𝐹= 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑡 𝑡
Impulse
In physics, the product of ………….. and ………….. is known as impulse.
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑋 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 = 𝑭 𝑿 𝒕
The impulse experienced by the object equals the change in ……………… of the object.
𝑚𝑣−𝑚𝑢
𝐹= 𝐹𝑡 = 𝑚𝑣 − 𝑚𝑢
𝑡
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝑚𝑣 − 𝑚𝑢
𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 = 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎

Note:- ………………… under force-time graph is …………………...

1) A ball of mass 250 g moving at a constant speed of 4.0 m/s passes over a small bump on the surface. Find the
change of momentum if the ball passes over the bump
a) At the same speed b) At a speed of 3.0 m/s

2) A 530 g basketball hits a wall head-on with a forward speed of 18.0 m/s. The contact time is 100 ms.
Determine the impulse with the wall and the force of the wall on the ball.
a) If the ball rebounds at the same speed.

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b) If the ball rebounds with a speed of 13.5 m/s.

3) A ball of mass 300 g travelling at speed of 4.0 m/s strikes a vertical wall at an angle of 400 to
the wall. The collision takes time 0.20 s. If it bounces back at the same speed, find the magnitude
and direction of the average force acting on the wall.

4) A 4.0 kg object has a forward momentum of 20 kg m/s. A 60 N s impulse acts upon it in the direction of motion
for 5.0 seconds. A resistive force of 6.0 N then impedes its motion for 8.0 seconds. Determine the final velocity
of the object.

5) A 3.0 kg object is moving forward with a speed of 6.0 m/s. The object then encounters a force of 2.5 N for
8.0 seconds in the direction of its motion. The object then collides head-on with a wall and heads in the
opposite direction with a speed of 5.0 m/s. Determine the impulse delivered by the wall to the object.

Investigating the Change of Momentum. [CP 9]

Mark a point near the …………… sensor which is the
…………. position of the trolley and then mark another
point towards the ……………. to record the …………..
velocity of the trolley.
Setup the apparatus as shown in the diagram and then
hang a known …………. on the trolley and hence
determine the ………… of the slotted masses which is
the …………….. force (F) exerted on the trolley.
Release the trolley from ………… and use the motion
sensor connected to the data logger to record the
……………… velocity of the trolley and the …………. taken (Δt) as it passes the point marked closer to the
pulley.
Calculate the …………………….. (Δp) and the change in ……………… (Δv) of the trolley.
Repeat the experiment …………….. more for the same resultant ……………. and hence determine the
………………. Δp & Δv.
Continue the experiment for different resultant ……………… by changing the slotted ……………….
Plot the graph of the impulse (𝛥𝑝) against change of ………………..
Calculate the …………….. of the graph which is the ……………………

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m / kg F/N 𝛥𝑡/𝑠 V/ m/s 𝛥𝑣 / m/s (𝛥𝑝 = 𝐹𝛥𝑡)/ Ns 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹 Δt

But, 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = Δp
∴ Δp = 𝐹 Δt
𝛥𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣 − 𝑚𝑢
𝛥𝑝 = 𝑚(𝑣 − 𝑢)
𝛥𝑝 = 𝑚 𝛥𝑣

Law of Linear Momentum Conservation.

In a ………………….. system, provided that there are no ………. external ………………….. exerted, the
total momentum before a collision is ………………….. to the total momentum after the collision.

Ξ Pi = Ξ Pf Ξ mu = Ξ mv

Elastic Collisions
If the collision is elastic, the ………………. energy is conserved, so there is no kinetic energy …………
during the collision.

Inelastic Collisions
If kinetic energy is …………… conserved, then the collision is inelastic. So there is a ………….. of kinetic
energy
Most collisions are inelastic because kinetic energy is transferred to other forms of energy such as …………
energy, potential energy, and sound during the collision.
If you are asked to determine whether the collision is elastic or inelastic, calculate the kinetic energy of the
bodies ………………. and ………………. the collision. If the k.e after the collision is …………….. than
the k.e before the collision, then the collision is …………………….
If the final k.e is higher than the initial k.e, a ………… must be done on the system during the collision due
to an ………………. force. Even though the k.e is not conserved, this situation is not considered as an
…………………. collision.

Note: ……………….….. is conserved in both elastic & inelastic collisions.

Deriving a relationship between K.E and momentum

P = mv 𝑃2 𝑚𝑣 2
=𝑚
P2 = (mv)2 2 2
P2 = m2 v2 𝑃2 𝑚𝑣 2
=
2𝑚 2
𝑃2 𝑚 2𝑣 2
= 𝑷𝟐
2 2
E = 𝟐𝒎

1) A particle X has kinetic energy E and momentum p. Another particle Y of the same mass as X has a momentum
2p. The kinetic energy of Y is in E?

2) The momentum of a particle is p. The kinetic energy of the particle is doubled. The momentum is now in p?

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3) A 4.0-kg ball is moving with a speed of 6.0 m/s directly toward a 2.0 kg ball which is at rest. The two balls
collide and stick together.
a. What is their velocity immediately after the collision?

b. Explain whether the collision is elastic or in elastic.

4) A particle of mass 4.0 kg, initially moving with a velocity of 2.0 m/s collides elastically with a particle of mass
6.0 kg. Initially moving with a velocity of -4.0 m/s. What are the velocities of the two particles after the
collision?

5) At an amusement park, twin brothers Tubby (m = 50 kg) and Chubby (m = 62 kg) occupy separate 36 kg
bumper cars. Tubby gets his car cruising at 3.6 m/s and collides head-on with Chubby who is moving the
opposite direction at 1.6 m/s. After the collision, Tubby bounces backwards at 0.5 m/s. Assuming an
isolated system, determine ...
a. Chubby's post-collision speed.
b. Show that the collision is inelastic and determine the percentage of original kinetic energy
which is lost as the result of the collision.

Collisions in Two Dimensions

The significant difference is that you will have to break the
trajectories of objects down into x- and y-components. You will then
be able to deal with the two components separately: momentum is
conserved in both …………………… and ………………………….
directions. Solving a problem of two-dimensional collision is
effectively the same thing as solving two problems of one-
dimensional collision.

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1) A rocket is moving through empty space at 8 m s−1. A meteoroid travelling at 15 m s−1 comes from behind and
at an angle of 45° to the line of movement of the rocket, crashes into the rocket and becomes embedded in
it. The rocket has a mass of 350 kg and the meteoroid’s mass is 20 kg. Calculate the velocity of the rocket
and embedded meteoroid after the collision.

2) In a pool shot, the cue ball of mass 0.17 kg travels at 6 m s−1 and hits the stationary black ball in the middle
of the table. The black ball, also of mass 0.17 kg, travels away at 45º with a speed of 4.24 m s−1, ending up in
the corner pocket. By resolving the components of the black ball’s momentum, find out what happens to the
cue ball.

3) Two objects slide over a frictionless horizontal surface. The first object, mass 5 kg, is propelled with
speed 4.5 m/s toward the second object, mass 2.5 kg, which is initially at rest. After the collision, both
objects have velocities which are directed 300 on either side of the original line of motion of the first object.
a) What are the final speeds of the two objects?

b) Is the collision elastic or inelastic?

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4) On a frictionless surface, a 0.35 kg puck moves horizontally to the right (at an angle of 0°) and a speed of
2.3 m/s. It collides with a 0.23 kg puck that is stationary. After the collision, the puck that was initially
moving has a speed of 2.0 m/s and is moving at an angle of 32° above the initial line of motion. What is the
velocity of the other puck after the collision?

5) An 8.0 kg mass collides elastically with a 5.0 kg mass that is at rest. Initially, the 8.0 kg mass was travelling
to the right at 4.5 m/s. After the collision, it is moving with a speed of 3.65 m/s and at an angle of 27° to its
original direction. What is the final speed and direction of motion for the 5.0 kg mass?

6) A 1.20 kg red ball moving at 10.0m/s at an angle of 30 0 below the horizontal strikes a 2.30 kg blue ball
moving at 15.0m/s at an angle of 400 above the horizontal. If the final velocity of the red ball is 13.5 m/s at
an angle of 250 above the horizontal, determine the final velocity of the blue ball.

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Using Vector diagrams in momentum conservation

Use tip to ............. method to represent initial momenta of the particles on the adjacent side of a....................
such as triangle, quadrilateral etc.
The straight line completing the polygon represents the total................................... of the particles before the
collision.
According to law of............................. conservation, the total momentum of the particles after the collision is
also given by the.......................... straight line. ∴ Represent the final momenta of the particles on the same
diagram by starting from the same initial point.

Sketch a vector diagram and label the vectors

1) A rocket is moving through empty space at 8 m s−1. A meteoroid travelling at 15 m s−1 comes from behind and
at an angle of 45° to the line of movement of the rocket, crashes into the rocket and becomes embedded in
it. The rocket has a mass of 350 kg and the meteoroid’s mass is 20 kg. Calculate the velocity of the rocket
and embedded meteoroid after the collision using a vector diagram.

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2) In a pool shot, the cue ball of mass 0.17 kg travels at 6 m s−1 and hits the stationary black ball in the middle
of the table. The black ball, also of mass 0.17 kg, travels away at 45º with a speed of 4.24 m s−1, ending up in
the corner pocket. By using a vector diagram, find out what happens to the cue ball.

3) Two objects slide over a frictionless horizontal surface. The first object, mass 5kg, is propelled with
speed 4.5m/s toward the second object, mass 2.5kg, which is initially at rest. After the collision, both
objects have velocities which are directed 300 on either side of the original line of motion of the first object.
Find the final speeds of the two objects using a vector diagram

4) A 1.20 kg red ball moving at 10.0m/s at an angle of 30 0 below the horizontal strikes a 2.30 kg blue ball
moving at 15.0m/s at an angle of 400 above the horizontal. If the final velocity of the red ball is 13.5m/s at
an angle of 250 above the horizontal, determine the final velocity of the blue ball using a vector diagram.

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5) In a stunt for an action movie, the 100kg actor jumps from a train which is crossing a river bridge. On the
river below, the heroine is tied to a raft floating towards a waterfall at 3ms−1. The raft and heroine have a
total mass of 200kg.
a. If the hero times his jumps perfectly so as to land on the raft, and his velocity is 12ms −1 at an angle of 80°
to the river current, what will be the velocity of the raft immediately after he lands? Draw a vector diagram
to show the momentum addition. (Ignore any vertical motion.)

b. If the waterfall is 80 m downstream, and the hero landed when the raft was 25m from the bank, would they
plummet over the fall? (Assume the velocity remains constant after the hero has landed.)

5) A car of mass 800 kg is travelling due east with a velocity of 12ms–1. The driver of the car changes direction
to travel due north- east with a velocity of 15ms–1. Find the change of momentum of the car using a vector
diagram.

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Investigating 2D collisions [CP 10]

Measure the masses of the ball bearings using a
………………….
Setup the apparatus as shown and then release the ball bearing.
Use a video camera to record the …………….. of the balls both
before and after the collision.
Analyse the …………. footages of the objects movement,
frame by frame with the measurement scales in two dimensions
and hence determine the ………………. in the moving
directions.
Calculate both initial and final ……………. in both X and Y
directions and check whether the momentum is ………………
or not in each direction.

Special Vector diagrams

Case 1
An object of mass m collides elastically with an identical stationary object.

The angle between the subsequent moving paths of the objects is …………………..

Case 2
A heavy object of mass M collides elastically with a light stationary object of mass m.

The angle between the subsequent moving paths of the objects is …………………..

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Case 3
A light object of mass m collides elastically with a heavy stationary object of mass M.

The angle between the subsequent moving paths of the objects is …………………..

1) A moving object has kinetic energy KE = 100 J and momentum p = 50 kg m/s. What is its mass?
(A) 2 kg (B) 4 kg (C) 6.25 kg (D) 12.5 kg (E) 25 k
2. A body of mass m sliding along a frictionless surface collides with another body of mass m,
which is stationary before impact. The two bodies stick together. If the kinetic energy of the
two-body system is E, what is the initial velocity of the first mass before impact?
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
3) A classic physics demonstration involves firing a bullet into a block of wood suspended by strings from the ceiling.
The height to which the wood rises below its lowest position is mathematically related to the pre-collision speed of
the bullet. If a 9.7-gram bullet is fired into the center of a 1.1-kg block of wood and it rises upward a distance of 33
cm, then what was the pre-collision speed of the bullet?

4) A low-energy particle collides elastically with a stationary particle of the same

mass. The particle enters from the left of the photograph.
(a) State what is meant by collides elastically. (1)

(b) Sketch a labelled vector diagram to show how the momentum of the initial moving
particle relates to the momenta of the two particles after the collision. (2)

(c) Use your answers to (a) and (b) to confirm that the angle between the subsequent paths of both particles must
be 90°. (2)

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5) A student is carrying out an investigation into collisions between a bat and a ball.
The bat is pivoted at a point P so that it can swing freely. The centre of mass M of
the bat swings through an arc and hits the ball. M moves through a height h as
shown below.
The ball is suspended vertically by a thread. The bat hits the ball which swings to a
maximum height x.
One set of measurements is h = 0.030 m x = 0.10 m
(a) Show that the speed of M just before the collision is about 0.8 m s–1. (2)

(b) The student calculates the speed of the ball just after the collision to be 1.4 m s –1. The mass of the bat is 320 g
and the ball is 55 g. Calculate the speed of the bat just after the collision and state one assumption you make. (4)

(c) Determine whether the collision was elastic or inelastic. (3)

(d) Discuss your conclusion with reference to possible uncertainties in the measurements of x. (2)

6) A student read the following extract from a textbook. ‘In an elastic collision between
objects of equal mass, where one is initially stationary, the objects move off at 90° to each
other after the collision.’ The student investigated this using a collision between two
identical steel balls, each of mass 66g.
(a) The diagrams illustrate the collision between the balls. In one experiment u1 was 0.72 m
s–1 and θ was 29°. For such a collision it can be shown that, if the balls are to separate at
90°, then v1 = 0.63 m s–1 φ = 61° v2 = 0.35 m s–1
(i) Show that these values satisfy the conditions for conservation of momentum in the initial
direction of ball 1. (4)

(ii) Show that these values satisfy the condition for elastic collisions. (3)

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