LEARNING COMPETENCY S9FE- IVb-36: Relate impulse and momentum to the collision of objects (e.g.

, vehicular
collision)
S9FE-IVb-37: Infer that the total momentum before and after collision is equal
LESSON 3 Impulse and Momentum
What makes things move? Why do some objects move continuously while some moving objects stop suddenly?
These might be some of the questions you had in mind but were not really answered in last year’s science class.

You have learned that unbalanced forces caused stationary objects to move. In fact, according to Newton’s Second
Law of Motion, the greater the force applied, the larger the acceleration of an object. It also stated that with the same
force, heavier objects have smaller acceleration, thus, Net force = mass x acceleration or Fnet= ma. Now let’s have a
deeper understanding of this topic..

I. What is It

Momentum in a simple way is a quantity of motion. Here quantity is measurable because if an object is moving
and has mass, then it has momentum. If an object does not move, then it has no momentum. However, in everyday life it
has importance, but many people do not recognize it. Momentum is just about every activity that involves motion. It is an
essential concept in Physics. In sports, momentum term is commonly observed. For example, when a baseball bat hits the
ball, the ball will be squished to a certain degree. After few milliseconds, it rebounds back and some momentum is lost or
transferred elsewhere. The momentum of a body is defined as the product of its mass and velocity.

Momentum is a vector quantity and takes place in the direction of velocity. SI unit of momentum is kilogram
meters per second or kg. m/s.

Momentum = mass x velocity or p=mv

Where p= momentum
m = mass
v = velocity or speed

If a body is at rest, its velocity is zero and so its momentum will also be zero. This simple relationship means that
doubling either the mass or velocity of an object will simply double the momentum.

Impulse

Impulse is a term that quantifies the overall effect of force acting over time. It is conventionally given the symbol I, and
expressed in Newton-seconds N.s).

For a constant force, I=F⋅Δt.

Do you still remember Newton’s Second Law of Motion? It states that the net force is directly proportional to the mass of
a body and its acceleration. In equation form,

F = ma

Since 𝑎 = 𝑣𝑓−, then

F = m(vf– vi) / t .
Rearranging the equation will give you
Ft = mvf– mvi
Since p = mv, then
Ft = pf – pi
or
Ft = Δp

II. What to do

Activity 1. What affects momentum?

Directions: Fill in the missing words. Choose your answer on the given choices inside the box to complete the text. Write
your answers in a whole sheet of paper.

Velocity Greater Inertia Car A Different

Same Mass First Law Heavier Momentum
 Source:https://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~jsb6/resources/energymomentumhandout.pdf
Figure 1. Two vehicles of different masses.

Which of the two toy vehicles would be more difficult to stop – the lighter one or the heavier one? The (1) __________
one is more difficult to stop. This is because it possesses a greater (2) __________in motion which depends on an object’s
(3) __________ and (4) __________. Do you still remember Newton’s (5) __________ of Motion? It is also known as the
Law of Inertia. An object’s (6) __________ is also known as inertia in motion. For objects moving at the same velocity, a
more massive object has greater inertia in motion therefore a (7) ___________ momentum. Momentum depends on two
factors, mass and velocity.

Figure 2. Two identical cars of different velocities

Consider the two identical cars on the left. Car A is traveling at 80 km/h while Car B is traveling at 30 km/h. Which of the
two cars would be more difficult to stop? Which of the two cars has more momentum? (8)__________, being faster, is
more difficult to stop. It has more momentum. Two cars of the (9) __________ mass but different velocities will also have
(10) __________ momenta

Activity 2. Word Search

Directions: List down at least 10 words that you could find that are related to the lesson. Write your answers in a whole
sheet of paper.
Activity 3.
Directions: Analyze the given situations below and draw an illustration based on it. Then, answer the questions that follow
in a whole sheet of paper.

In this box draw an egg hitting a Draw an egg hitting a curtain/cloth

brick wall and splattered in all and pushed the cloth backwards.
directions

Based on your illustrations:

1. Which egg experienced the greater impulse, the egg that hits the wall or the egg that hits the curtain?
2. Which egg experienced the lesser force of impact?
3. How was the impact force lessened by the use of the curtain?

Activity 4. Trajectories Launched at Different Angles

Directions: Analyze the illustration below and answer the given questions that follow. Write your answers in a whole sheet
of paper.