VI.

Impulse and Momentum

Engr. John Renzo M. Galinato
Impulse
• Product of FORCE and the LENGTH OF TIME the force acts.
• A vector quantity whose direction is that of a force.
• Impulse is a term that quantifies the overall effect of a force acting
over time. It is conventionally given the symbol J, and expressed in
Newton-seconds.
• For a constant force, 𝐽 = 𝐹. ∆𝑡
Momentum
• Product of the MASS of the body and its VELOCITY
• A vectors quantity whose direction is that of the velocity
• Is a measurement of mass in motion: how much mass is in how much
motion. It is usually given the symbol P.
• 𝑝 = 𝑚𝑉
An IMPULSE causes a CHANGE in
MOMENTUM
• The change of momentum produced by an impulse is equal to the
impulse in both magnitude and direction.
• The constant force (F) acting for a time (t) on a body of mass (m)
changes its velocity from an initial velocity (v1) to a final value (v2)
Collision
• Refers to the mutual action of the molecules, atoms, and etc. when
they encounter one another

Three categories:
1. Elastic Collisions
2. Inelastic Collisions
3. Completely Inelastic Collisions
Note:
The Law of Conservation of Momentum
• The momentum of the body
before impact is equal to the
momentum of the body after
impact.
Examples:
1.
Examples:
2.
Examples:
3. A 10 g block slides with a velocity of 20 cm/s on a smooth level surface
and makes a head on collision with a 30-g block moving in the opposite
direction with a velocity of 10 cm/s. If the collision is perfectly elastic, what
is the velocity of the 30-g block after the collision?
Examples:
4. Two masses collide on a frictionless horizontal floor and in perfectly
inelastic collision. Mass 1 is four times that of mass 2. Velocity of mass 1 =
10m/s to the right while the velocity of mass 2 = 20 m/s to the left. What is
the velocity and direction of the resulting combined mass?