Chapter seven

Impulse and Momentum

November, 2025
@ Dr. Mekuanint L(PhD)

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Linear Momentum and Impulses

 Linear Momentum
 momentum is a measure of how hard it is to stop a moving object.

 There are two factors that make hard to stop, its mass (m) and its velocity (𝑣).
Ԧ
 The greater the mass the harder it is to stop, the faster an object is moving the harder it is to
stop.
 Linear momentum (𝑝)
Ԧ is defined as the product of the mass (𝑚) and velocity
(𝑣)
Ԧ of a particle.
𝑝Ԧ = 𝑚𝑣Ԧ

𝑝Ԧ = 𝑝Ԧ𝑥 +𝑝Ԧ𝑦 +𝑝Ԧ𝑧 𝑝 = 𝑝𝑥 2 + 𝑝𝑦 2 + 𝑝𝑧 2

𝑝Ԧ𝑥 = 𝑚𝑣Ԧ𝑥 𝑝Ԧ𝑦 = 𝑚𝑣Ԧ𝑦 𝑝Ԧ𝑧 = 𝑚𝑣Ԧ𝑧

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Newton’s 2nd law in terms of momentum shows that
 Rapid change in momentum requires a large net force
 Gradual change in momentum requires less net force
This principle is used in the design of safety air bags in cars
 The driver of fast-moving car has a large momentum (the product of the driver’s
mass and velocity).
If car stops suddenly in a collision, driver’s momentum becomes zero due to collision
with car parts (steering wheel and windshield)
 Air bag causes the driver to lose momentum more gradually than would abrupt
collision with the steering wheel, reducing the force exerted on the driver (and the
possibility for injury)
Same principle applies to the padding used to package fragile objects for shipping

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Linear Momentum and Impulses

 If a resultant force acts on a body, it will cause that body’s momentum to change. The
momentum change occurs in the direction of the force, at a rate proportional to the magnitude
of that force.

The net force can be expressed in terms of change in momentum divided by time, or the rate
of change of momentum.
∆𝑣Ԧ ∆𝑝Ԧ
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎Ԧ = 𝑚 =
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡
 The change in an object’s momentum ∆𝑝Ԧ divided by the elapsed time ∆𝑡 equals the
constant net force 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 acting on the object:
 The magnitude of the momentum 𝑝 of an object of mass 𝑚 can be related to its kinetic
energy 𝐾𝐸: 𝑝2
𝐾𝐸 =
2𝑚
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Impulses

Impulse
 Impulse is the magnitude of a force multiplied by the time for which it acts.

 If a constant force 𝑭 acts on an object, the impulse 𝑰Ԧ delivered to the object over a time
interval ∆𝑡 is given by;

𝐼Ԧ = 𝐹∆𝑡
Ԧ = ∆𝑝Ԧ = 𝑚𝑣Ԧ𝑓 − 𝑚𝑣Ԧ𝑖 Impulse-momentum theorem

 States that the impulse of the force acting on an object equals the change in momentum of the
object

 The linear momentum of an object is conserved when 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Impulses
→
 Consider a particle acted on by a constant net force  F during a
time interval t from t i to tf. The impulse of the net force J→is
defined to be the product of the net force and the time interval:
→ → →
J   F (t f  ti )  Ft For constant net force

 Impulse is a vector quantity.

 Its direction is the same as the net force

 Its magnitude is the product of the magnitude of the net

force and the length of time the net force acts

 Units of impulse (SI): force × time, N·s

 1 N = 1 kg·m/s2  N·s = kg·m/s (same as momentum)

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Impulses
→
dp
 If the net force is constant, thendtis also constant and equals
to the total change in momentum during the time interval t2 - t1,
divided by this time interval:

→ → → →
dp p f  pi → → →
 F  const  dt  t  t  F(t f  ti )  p f  pi
f i

→ → → →
J  p f  pi  p (Impulse – Momentum Theorem)

 Impulse – Momentum Theorem: The change in momentum of

a particle during a time interval equals the impulse of the net
force that acts on the particle during that interval.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Impulses
 We will once again re-express Newton’s 2nd law in an integral form.
However, in this case the independent variable will be time rather
than position as was the case for the Work-Energy Theorem.

 Impulse – Momentum Theorem also holds when forces are NOT

constant. To see this, lets integrate both sides of Newton’s 2nd law

t2 → t2 dp→ t2
→ → →
  Fdt   dt dt   dp  p2  p1
t1 t1 t1

→ t2 →
J    Fdt (General definition of impulse)
t1

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Impulses
→ →
 ge net force  F such that even when F is NOT
We can define an avera→
constant, the impulse J is given by
→ →
J  Fav (t2  t1 )
The force on soccer ball that in
contact with player’s foot from time
t1 to t2

 The impulse can be interpreted as the "area"

under the graph of F(t) versus t. The x-
component of impulse of the net force Fx
between t1 and t2 equals the area under Fx–t
curve, which also equals the area under
rectangle with height (Fav)x

t2
J x    Fx dt  (Fav ) x (t2  t1 )  p2 x  p1x  mv2 x  mv1x
t1

t2
J y    Fy dt  (Fav ) y (t2  t1 )  p2 y  p1y  mv2 y  mv1y
t1
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Conservation of Momentum
s
 Internal forces: the forces that the particles of the system exert on each other (for any system)

 Forces exerted on any part of the system by some object outside it called external forces
 For the system of two astronauts, the internal forces are FBonA, exerted by particle B on particle A, and FAonB,
exerted by particle A on particle B

 There are NO external forces: we have isolated system

→ → → → → →
dpA dpB
FBonA  FAonB  FAonB  FBonA
dt dt
→ → → → →
→ dp dp d ( p A  pB )
FAonB  FBonA  A  B  0
dt dt dt
 Total momentum of two particles is the vector sum of → → →
the momenta of individual particles
pTot  p A  pB
→ → → → →
 If system consist of any number of pTot  p A  pB  ...  m A v A  mBvB  ...
particles A, B, …
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Conservation of Momentum
 s when you have two or more interacting bodies
Concept of momentum is particularly important in situations
 Consider idealized system of two particles: two astronauts floating in the zero-gravity environment
 Astronauts touch each other (each particle exerts force on another)
 Newton’s 3rd law: these forces are equal and opposite
 Hence, impulses that act on two particles are equal and opposite
 Conservation of Momentum
s
 The time rate of change of the total momentum is zero.
Hence the total momentum of the system is constant,
even though the individual momenta of the particles that
make up the system can change.

→ → →
dp
FAonB  FBonA  0
dt
 If there are external forces acting on the system, they must
be included into equation above along with internal forces.

 Then the total momentum is not constant in general. But if

vector sum of external forces is zero, these

forces →
do not contribute to the sum,
dp .
0
dt
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
Principle of conservation of momentum:
 If the vector sum of the external forces on a system is zero, the total momentum of the
system is constant
 This principle does not depend on the detailed nature of internal forces that act between members of the
system: we can apply it even if we know very little about the internal forces.

 The principle acts only in internal frame of reference (because we used

Newton’s 2nd law to derive it!)

CAUTION Vector sum !

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

Conceptual problem:

Is the total momentum conserved for the following cases: Two balls collide on the billiard table that is free of friction
.
(a) Is the total momentum of the two ball system the same before and after the
collision?

(b) for a system that contains only one ball.

Answer:

(a) The total momentum is conserved

(b) The total momentum of one ball is NOT conserved

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

Problem-Solving Strategy
IDENTIFY the relevant concepts:
• Before applying conservation of momentum to a problem,
you must first decide whether momentum is conserved!

• This will be true only if the vector sum of the external forces acting on the system of particles is zero.

• If this is not the case, you can’t use conservation of

momentum.
SET UP the problem using the following steps:
1. Define a coordinate system. Make a sketch showing the coordinate axes, including the positive direction for each.
Make sure you are using an inertial frame of reference. Most of the problems in this course deal with two-
dimensional situations, in which the vectors have only x- and y-components; all of the following statements can
be generalized to include z-components when necessary.
2. Treat each body as a particle. Draw “before” and “after” sketches, and include vectors on each to represent all known
velocities. Label
the vectors with magnitudes, angles, components, or whatever information is given, and give each unknown magnitude, angle, or
component an algebraic symbol. You may use the unprimed and primed letters for velocities before and after interaction,
respectively.

3. As always, identify the target variable(s) from among the unknowns.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
Problem-Solving Strategy
EXECUTE the solution as follows:
1. Write equation in terms of symbols equating the total initial x-component of momentum (before the interaction) to the total final x-
component of momentum (after), using px=mvx for each particle.

2. Write another equation for y-components, using py=mvy for each particle.
 Remember that the x- and y-components of velocity or momentum are never
added together in the same equation!
 Even when all the velocities lie along a line (such as the x-axis), components of velocity along this line can be positive or negative; be careful with signs!

1. Solve these equations to determine whatever results are required. In some problems you will have to convert from the x- and y-
components of a velocity to its magnitude and direction, or the reverse.

2. In some problems, energy considerations give additional relationships among the various velocities.

EVALUATE your answer:

• Does your answer make physical sense?
• If your target variable is a certain body’s momentum, check that the direction of the momentum is reasonable.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

Example

A car of mass 1.5 × 103 𝑘𝑔 collides with a wall and rebounds. The initial and final velocities of
the car are 𝑣Ԧ𝑖 = −15 𝑚/𝑠 and 𝑣Ԧ𝑓 = 2.5 𝑚/𝑠, respectively. If the collision lasts for 0.15 𝑠, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision and (b) the size and direction of the
average force exerted on the car.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Linear Momentum and Impulses

Problem A 2-kg gun fires a bullet of mass 0.025kg at a velocity of 300m/s as shown. What is the
recoil velocity of the gun?
Solution
Pi=0
Pf=mgvg+mbvb
gun bullet
mb
Pi=Pf vg= -vb
mg
(0.025)
vg= -(300)
(2)

Note: vb and vg are in opposite directions vg= -3.75m/s

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Linear Momentum and Impulses
Problem
Two blocks of masses m and 3m are placed on a frictionless, horizontal surface. A light spring is
attached to the more massive block, and the blocks are pushed together with the spring between
them. A cord initially holding the blocks together is burned: after that happens, the block of mass
3m moves to the right with a speed of 2 m/s. (a) What is the velocity of the block of mass m? (b)
Find the system original elastic potential energy taking m = 0.35 kg. (c) Is the original energy in
the spring or in the cord? (d) Explain your answer in part (c)

v1a=? v2a=2 m/s

m 3m m 3m

Before After
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Linear Momentum and Impulses
Solution
(a) What is the velocity of the block of mass m? m 3m

→ → → →
( p1  p2 )Before  ( p1  p2 )After
→ → → → Before
(m1v1  m2v2 )Before  (m1v1  m2v2 )After v1a=? v2a=2 m/s

Conservation of linear momentum in 1-D:

m 3m
(m1v1  m2v2 )Before  (m1v1  m2v2 )After
m1 =m, m2 =3m, v1b = v2b= 0, After
v2a=2 m/s, v1a =?
(0  0)Before  (mv1a  3m(2m / s))After  v1a  6m / s

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Linear Momentum and Impulses
Solution
(b) Find the system original elastic potential energy taking m = 0.35 kg.
1
K Tot  (m1v12  m2v22 )
2
m1 =m, m2 =3m, v2a=2 m/s v1a =-6m/s
1
KTot  (mv1a2  3mv2a2
)
2
 12 (0.35kg)[(6m / s)2  (3)(2m / s)2 ]  8.4J
UElastic  KTot  8.4J
(c) Is the original energy in the spring or in the cord? It is the
potential energy stored in the spring

(d) Explain your answer in part (c). This is because the spring was
compressed before the release of two masses
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
Problem
A 60-kg archer stands at rest on frictionless ice and fires a 0.5 kg arrow horizontally at 50m/s with
what velocity does the archer move across the ice after firing arrow?

V arrow = V archer = 0

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Linear Momentum and Impulses
Problem A 60-kg archer stands at rest on frictionless ice and fires a 0.5 kg arrow horizontally
at 50m/s with what velocity does the archer move across the ice after firing arrow?

v arrow =50m/s

v archer =?

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Linear Momentum and Impulses

→ → → →
Solution  
(m1v1 m2v2 )  (m1v1 m2v2 )
v1 = v 2 =0 v2 = varrow =50m/s v1 = varcher =?
m1 = 60 kg m2 = 0.5 kg
→
0  (60kg)v1 (0.5kg)(50iˆm / s)
→
ˆ /s
v1  0.42im
v2 = varrow =50m/s

v1= varcher =?
 Impulse-Momentum Theory
Problem The magnitude of the net force exerted in the x direction on a 2.5-kg
particle varies in time as shown in the figure. Find (a) the impulse of
the force over the 5-s time interval,
(b) the final velocity the particle attains if it is originally at
Solution rest, (c ) its final velocity if its original velocity is  2iˆm/ s,
and (d) the average force exerted on the particle for the
t2
time interval between 0 and 5 s.
(a) J    Fdt  (Fav )(t2  t1 ) F (N)
t1

J = Area under the curve from t1 to t2 5

J = 0.5((5+1)s)(4N)= 12 N. s due east 4

3
(b) J x  p2 x  p1x  mv2 x  mv1x
2
12N.s  (2.5kg)(v2 x  0) 1
v2 x  4.8m / s due east 0
t(s)
1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Momentum and Impulses

Solution
(c) J x  p2 x  p1x  mv2 x  mv1x F (N)
12N.s  (2.5kg)(v2 x  (2m / s))
5
v2 x  2.8m / s due east
4

(d) J x  Fxavg t  mv 2 x  mv1x 3

2
12N.s  Fxavg (5s)
1
Fx  2.4N due east
avg
0 2 3 4 5 t(s)
1

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Impulse-Momentum
Linear Momentum andTheory
Impulses
Exercise An estimated force-time curve for a baseball struck by a bat is
shown in the figure. From this curve, determine (a) the magnitude of
the impulse delivered to the ball and (b) the average force exerted to
the ball.

F (kN) Fmax = 18 kN

25

Soution
t
20
2

(a) J    Fdt  (Fav )(t 2  t1 ) 15

t1 10
J = Area under the curve from t1 to t2
5

J = (18kN)(2.5 ms -1 ms)= 13.5 N. s 0

1 2 3 t (ms)
(b) Favg=J/t= (13.5 N. s)/(1.5ms) = 9 kN
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Linear Momentum and Impulses
Exercise A baseball (m = 0.14kg) has initial velocity of v0 = - 38m/s as it approaches a
bat. The bat applies an average force Favg that is much larger than the weight
of the ball, and the ball departs from the bat with a final velocity of vf = +
58m/s.
(a) Determine the impulse applied to the ball by the bat.
(b) Assuming time of contact is t =1.6  10-3s, find the average
force exerted on the ball by the bat.
Solution
(a) J  mv f  mv0
 (0.14kg)(58m / s)  (0.14kg)(38m / s)
J= +13.4 kg.m/s

J 13.4kg.m / s
(b) Favg    8400N
t 1.610 s
3

Note: Both the impulse applied to the ball and the

average force are directed to the east
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025
 Linear Momentum and Impulses
Exercise

An 3-kg ball strikes a wall with a speed of 10 m/s at an angle of  = 60o with the
surface. It bounces off with the same speed and angle. If the ball is in contact with
the wall for 0.2 s, what is the average force exerted by the wall on the ball?

x
v

 = 60o

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Linear Momentum and Impulses

y
→ → → → →
Soution→ J  mv2  mv1 J  Favg t
→ →
Favg t  mv2  mv1
→ v  = 60o
v1  v1x iˆ  v1y ˆj  v1 cos iˆ  v1 sin ˆj
→
v2  v2 x iˆ  v2 y ˆj  v 2 cos iˆ  v2 sin ˆj x
→ → v
v2  v1  (v 2 cos iˆ  v2 sin ˆj)  (v1 cos iˆ  v1 sinj)
ˆ
v1  v2  v  = 60o
→ →
m(v 2  v1 )  m[( v cos iˆ  v sin ˆj)  (v cos iˆ  v sin ˆj)]  2mvcosiˆ
→ →  2mv cosiˆ
Favg t  2mv cosiˆ or Favg 
t
→  2(3kg)(10m / s) cos 60
ˆi  150iN
ˆ
v = 10 m/s,  = 60o, t = 0.2 s  Favg 
0.2s
 Collision
Collisions
 Collision is any strong interaction between bodies that lasts a
relatively short time
 Car’s collision

 Balls colliding on a pool table

 Neutrons hitting nuclei in reactor core

 Bowling ball striking pins

 If the forces between the bodies are much larger than any external forces, we can neglect the
external forces entirely and treat the bodies as isolated system
 Since a collision constitutes an isolated system (where the net external force is zero), the
momentum of the system is conserved (the same before and after the collision)

 Collision types: inelastic and elastic collisions

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025
 Collision in 1D

VT Vc

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision

 When a collision occurs in an isolated system, the total momentum of the system doesn’t
change with the passage of time.
 Instead, it remains constant both in magnitude and in direction. The momenta of the individual
objects in the system may change, but the vector sum of all the momenta will not change.

 When no net external force acts on a system, the total momentum of the system remains
constant in time.
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025
 Collision in 1D

The total momentum of the system just before the collision equals the total momentum just
after the collision as long as the system may be considered isolated.

We define an inelastic collision as a collision in which momentum is conserved, but kinetic
energy is not.

 When two objects collide and stick together, the collision is called perfectly inelastic.

 An elastic collision is defined as one in which both momentum and kinetic

energy are conserved.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Elastic collisions
 Before a perfectly inelastic collision the objects
move independently.
 After the collision the object velocities change, but
both the energy and momentum of the system are
conserved.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

Elastic collision:
 Glider A and glider B approach each other on a frictionless
surface
 Each glider has a steel spring bumper on the end to ensure an
elastic collision

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Elastic 1-D collision of two bodies A and B, B is at rest before collision

 Momentum of the system is conserved

 Kinetic energy of the system is conserved
mAvA1x  mB (0)  m A v A2 x  m B v B 2 x    (1)
1 1 1 1
m Av2A1x  mB (0) 2  m Av A2
2
x  m B B 2 x  (2)
v 2

2 2 2 2
m v2  m (v2  v2 )  m (v v )(v A1x  v A2 x )  (3)
B B2 x A A1x A2 x A A1x A2 x
From equation (1), one can have
m B v B 2 x  m A (vA1x  v A2 x )        (4)
Divide equations (3) by equation (4) to get v B 2 x  v A1x  v A2 x    (5)
From equation (5) into equation (4) we can have
m A  mB
mB (vA1x  v A2 x )  m A (vA1x  v A2 x )    (6) v A2 x  vA1x    (7)
m A  mB
From equation (7) into equation (5) one can have

2mA
vB 2 x  v A1x      (8)
m A  mB
 Collision in 1D

mA  mB 2mA
v A2 x  v A1x vB2 x  v A1x
mA  mB m A  mB
Remarks on some Cases of Elastic collision

 Suppose body A is a ping-pong ball, and body B is bowling ball

 We expect A to bounce of after the collision with almost the same

speed but opposite direction, and speed of B will be much smaller
 What if situation is reversed? Bowling ball hits ping-pong ball?

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

mA  mB 2mA
v A2 x  v A1x vB2 x  v A1x
m A  mB m A  mB

The case of equal masses

 Suppose masses of bodies A and B are equal

 Then mA=mB, and VA2x=0, VB2x=VA1x

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

mA  mB 2mA
v A2 x  v A1x vB2 x  v A1x
mA  mB m A  mB
Relative Velocities Before and After Collision

vB 2 x  vA1x  v A2 x vB 2 x  v A2 x  vA1x

 VB2x-VA2x is relative velocity of B to A after the collision, and it is negative of the velocity of B
relative to A before the collision
 In a straight-line elastic collision of two bodies, the relative velocities before and after collision
have the same magnitude, but opposite sign
 General case (when velocity of B is not zero):

vB 2 x  v A2 x  (vB1x  vA1x )

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
A ball of mass m1 = 0.25kg and velocity v01= 5m/s collides
Problem head-on with a ball of mass m2 = 0.8kg that is initially at rest (v02
= 0). No external forces act on the balls. If the collision in elastic,
what are the velocities of the balls after the collision?

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

Solution
m1vf1 m2vf 2 m1v01 0(1)
after collision before collision

1 1 1
m1v f 1  m2v f 2  m1v012  0    (2)
2 2

2 2 2
collision before collision
m1v01  m 2 v f
v f1
 2
   (3)
m1

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Substitute equation (3) into (2)
Solution
1  m1v01  m2 v f2  1
2
1
m1   m2 v2f2  m1v021
2  m1  2 2

1 m1 v01  m2 v f2  2m1m 2v01 v f2 1 m2 m1v f2 1

2 2 2 2 2

  m1v021
2 m1 2 m1 2
m12 v201 m1v021  m22  m1m2  2 2m1m 2v01 v f2
   v f2  0
2m1 2  2m1  2m1

m2
m1  m 2 v f2
2

2m1m2
v01 v f2
2m1 2m1
m2  m1 vf 2  2m1v0 v f
2 1 2

2m1
v f2  v01
m1  m2

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Solution 2m1
Substitute v f2  v01 m1vf1 m1v01m2vf 2 (1)
m1  m2 into

2m1
m1v f1  m1v01  m2 v01
m1  m2

 2m2 
m1v f1  m1 1 v01

 m1  m2 
 m1  m2  2m2 
m1v f1  m1   v01
 m1  m2 
 m1  m2 
v f1   m  m v 01
 1 2

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Solution v f2 
2m1  m1  m2 
We have
m1  m2
v01 v f1   v0 1
 m1  m2 
m1 = 0.25 kg, m2 = 0.8 kg v01 = 5 m/s, v02 = 0

  0.25  0.8 
v f1  5  2.62m / s
 0.25  0.8 

2 0.25
v f2   5  2.38m / s
0.25  0.8

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Exercise A ball of mass m = 1.5 kg attached to a string is released
1
with a speed of 5 m/s from the position shown at height h =
3 m above the horizontal. Another ball of mass m2 = 10 kg,
initially at rest, is attached to another string. Assuming the
collision is elastic, (a) find the final velocities of the two
balls immediately after collision. (b) Calculate the
maximum heights to which m1 and m2 rise after the elastic
collision.
Answer: (a) vf1= -2.83 m/s, vf2 = +2.73 m/s
(b) hf1 = 0.409 m, hf2 = 0.38 m

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

Problem Two blocks are free to slide along the frictionless, wooden
track shown in the figure. The block of mass m1 = 5 kg is
released from the position shown at height h = 5 m above
the flat part of the track. Protruding from its front end is
the north pole of a strong magnet which repels the north
pole of an identical magnet embedded in the back end of
the block of mass m2 = 10 kg, initially at rest. The two
blocks never touch. Calculate the maximum height to
which m1 rises after the elastic collision.

m1
vo1 = 0

h
m2
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

Solution
Mass m1 is released from rest and falls down from a height h = 5 m :
Apply conservation of mechanical energy
U  K  0
1 1
 m1 gh  ( m1v1b2  m1v012 )  0
2 2
v2b = 0, h = 5 m

1
 m1 gh  m1v1b2
2

 v1b  2gh  2(9.8m / s 2 )(5m)  10m / s

m1
vo1 = 0
Immediately before collision

v1b v2b= 0
h h
m1
m2
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

Mass m1 with speed v1b = 10 m/s elastically collides with mass

Solution m2 which is at rest (v2b = 0): Apply conservation of momentum

m1v1b  m2v2b  m1v1a  m2v2a But m1 = 5 kg, m2 = 10 kg, v1b = 10 m/s, v2b = 0
3  v1a
(5kg)(10m / s)  (10kg)(0)  (5kg)v 1a  (10kg)v 2a or v2a     (1)
2
Apply conservation of kinetic energy
1 1 1 1
m1v1b2  m2b v2b  m1v1a2  m2v2a
2 2

2 2 2 2
(5kg)(10m / s) 2  (10kg)(0)  (5kg)v2  (10kg)v2 or 100  v 2  2v2  (2)
1a 2a 1a 2a

From equation (1) into (2), one can get:  3v2  6v 191 0
1a 1a

 v1a  7m / s

Immediately before collision Immediately after collision

v1b=10m/s v2b= 0 v1a v2a
h h
m1 m1
m2 m2
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

For mass m1 with speed v1a = - 7 m/s goes up the frictionless track until
Solution it reaches a maximum height h (with v1f = 0): Apply conservation of
mechanical energy

U  K  0
1 1
m1 gh  ( m1v12f  m1v1a2 )  0
2 2
v1a = -7 m/s, v1f = 0
1
 gh  (0  v1a2 )  0
2
v1a2 (7m / s)
or h   2
 2.5m
2g 2(9.8m / s )

Immediately after collision

v1a v2a v1f = 0

h v2a
m1 h h = ?
m2 m2
 Collision in 1D

Problem A billiard ball moving at 5 m/s strikes a stationary ball of

the same mass. After the collision, the first ball moves at
4.33 m/s at an angle of 30o with respect to the original line
of motion. Assuming an elastic collision (and ignoring
friction and rotational motion), find the struck ball’s
velocity after the collision.

v1 = 5 m/s

v2 = 0

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
→ → → →

Solution (m1v1 m2v2 )  (m1v1 m2v2 )  m1 = m2 = m

(v1x  v2 x )  (v1x  v2 x ) (v1y  v2 y )  (v1y  v2y )

v1x  v1, v2x  0, v1x  v1 cos1, v2x  v2 cos2 , v1y  v2 y  0, v1y  v1 sin 1,v2y  v2 sin 2
v1  v1 cos1  v2 cos2 0  v1 sin 1  v2 sin 2
5  (4.33) cos 30  v2 cos 2 0  (4.33) sin 30  v2 sin 2

v2 cos2  1.25    (1) v2 sin 2  2.165    (2)

Divide equation (2) by (1)

tan2  2.165 v1 = 4.33 m/s
v1 = 5 m/s
 2  tan1 (1.73)  60o
Substitute 2 = 60o into equation (1) 1 =30o

1.25 2 =?
v2   2.5m / s v2 = 0
cos 60
v 2 = ?

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Before Collision After Collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Inelastic Collisions
In any collision in which external forces can be neglected, momentum is conserved and the total momentum before
equals the total momentum after
Collisions are classified according to how much energy is "lost"
during the collision

Inelastic Collisions - there is a loss of kinetic energy due to the collision

 Automobile collision is inelastic: the structure of the car absorbs as much of the energy of collision as possible. This
absorbed energy cannot be recovered, since it goes into a permanent deformation of the car
Completely Inelastic Collisions - the loss of kinetic energy is the maximum possible. The objects stick together
after the collision.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

Completely (or perfectly) inelastic collision:

 Glider A and glider B approach each other on

a frictionless surface

 Each glider has a putty on the end, so gliders

stick together after collision

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

Perfectly inelastic collisions

 Before a perfectly inelastic collision the objects
move independently.
 After the collision the objects remain in contact.
System momentum is conserved, but system
energy is not conserved.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Perfectly Inelastic Collision
Problem A 10-g bullet is fired into a stationary block of wood having mass
m = 5 kg. The bullet imbeds into the block. The speed of the
bullet-plus-wood combination immediately after the collision is 0.6
m/s. What was the original speed of the bullet?

Vbullet+block =Vx =0.6 m/s

vblock = v2x = 0
vbullet = v1x =?

mblock =5 kg Mbullet+block =5.01 kg

mbullet =10 g= 0.01kg

Before Collision After Collision

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025
 Collision in 1D

Before Collision After Collision

Solution m1v1x  m2v2 x  m1v1x  m2v2 x

v1x  v2x  Vx

m1v1x  m2v2 x  (m1  m2 )Vx

mbulletvbullet  mblockvblock  (m1  m2 )Vx

mbullet = 0.01kg Mbullet+block =5.01 kg

mblock =5 kg
vbullet = v1x =? Vbullet+block =Vx =0.6 m/s
vblock = v2x = 0

(0.01kg)vbullet  0  (5.01kg)(0.6m / s)

vbullet  300.6m / s
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025
 Collision in 1D

Problem A 12-g wad of sticky clay is hurled horizontally at 100-g wooden

block initially at rest on a horizontal surface (frictionless before
impact). The clay sticks to the block. After impact, the block slides
7.5 m before coming to rest. If the coefficient of friction between
the block and the surface is 0.65, what was the speed of the clay
immediately before impact?
vclay = v1x =? vblock = v2x = 0 Vclay+block =V =?
mblock =100 g = 0.1kg
d=7.5 m Vf =0

mclay =12g= 0.012kg fk=µk FN Mclay+block =0.112 kg

Before Collision

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Solution m1v1x  m2v2 x  m1v1x  m2v2x
v1x  v2x  Vx  ?
mclayvclay  mblockvblock  (mclay  mblock )Vx
vblock  0, vclay  ?

(0.012kg)vclay  0  (0.112kg)Vx    (1)

vclay = v1x =? vblock = v2x = 0 Vclay+block =V =?

mblock =100 g = 0.1kg
d=7.5 m Vf =0

mclay =12g= 0.012kg fk=µk FN Mclay+block =0.112 kg

Before Collision

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Solution Wf  K
 V   2(0.65)(9.8m / s 2 )(7.5m)
1
 fk d  mclayblock (V f 2 V 2 ) V   9.77m / s    (2)
2
1
 k FN d  mclayblock (0 V 2 )
From equation (2) into equation (1):
2 (0.012kg)vclay  (0.112kg)(9.77m / s)
1
 k mclayblock gd   mclayblockV 2
2
vclay  91.2m / s
 V  2 k gd


Vclay+block =V =?
vclay = v1x =? vblock = v2x = 0
mblock =100 g = 0.1kg d=7.5 m Vf =0

mclay =12g= 0.012kg fk=µk FN Mclay+block =0.112 kg

Before Collision
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025
 Perfectly Inelastic Collision
The ballistic pendulum consists of a block of wood (mass m2 = 2.5kg)
Problem suspended by a wire of negligible mass. A bullet (mass m1 = 0.01kg) is fired with a
speed v01. After collision, the block has a speed vf and then swings to a maximum
height of 0.65m above the initial position. Find the speed v01 of the bullet,
assuming air resistance is negligible.
 Collision in 1D

Solution
Just before Just after
collision collision

m1+m2
vf

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

Solution
Just before Just after Is conservation of energy valid?
collision collision
No (completely inelastic)

Is conservation of momentum valid?

Yes (no external forces )

(m1  m2 )v f  m1v01
Total momentum Total momentum
after collision before collision

m1  m2
m1+m2 v01  vf
vf m1

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D

Solution
Applying conservation of energy
1
(m1  m 2 )gh  ( m1  m 2 )v
2
f f
2
Total mechanical energy at top Total mechanical energy at
of swing, all potential bottom of swing, all kinetic

v01  896m / s
Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025
 Collision in 1D
A 1500-kg car travelling east with a speed of 25 m/s collides at
Problem an intersection with a 2500 kg truck travelling north with a speed
of 20 m/s. Find the direction and magnitude of the velocity of
the wreckage after the collision, assuming the vehicles stick
together after the collision

V

v1 = 25 m/s


Mekuanint L (Dr.) November 2025

 Collision in 1D →
→ →
Solution mcarvcar  mtruckvtruck  (mcar  mtruck )V 
→ →
mcar  1500kg, mtruck  2500kg, vcar →25i , vtruck  20 ˆj
ˆ
(1500)(25iˆ)  (2500)(20 ĵ)  (4000)V 
→
V   (9.375iˆ) 12.5 ĵ)m / s V   (9.375)2  (12.5)2  15.6m / s
  tan1 ( 12.5 )  53.1o
9.375 V

v1 = 25 m/s


Mekuanint L (Dr.) November 2025

 Collision in 1D
Exercise A 90-kg fullback running east with a speed of 5 m/s is tackled by
a 95-kg opponent running north with a speed of 3 m/s. (a) Explain
why the successful tackle constitutes a perfectly inelastic collision.
(b) Calculate the velocity of the players immediately after the tackle.
(c) Determine the
mechanical energy that disappears as a result of the collision.
Account for the missing energy,

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 1D
 Example
The bullet is fired into a large block of wood suspended from
some light wires. The bullet is stopped by the block, and the
entire system swings up to a height h. It is possible to obtain
the initial speed of the bullet by measuring h and the two
masses. Assume 𝑚1 = 5 𝑔, 𝑚2 = 1 𝑘𝑔 and ℎ = 5 𝑐𝑚. (a)
Find the velocity of the system after the bullet embeds in the
block. (b) Calculate the initial speed of the bullet.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven collision November 2025

 Collision in 2D

The general equation of 2Dal collision

 If the collision is elastic, we can write a third

equation, for conservation of energy, in the form

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Collision in 2D
 Example
A car with mass 1.5 × 103 𝑘𝑔 traveling east at a speed of 25 m/s
collides at an intersection with a 2.5 × 103 𝑘𝑔 van traveling north at a
speed of 20 m/s. Find the magnitude and direction of the velocity of
the wreckage after the collision, assuming that the vehicles undergo a
perfectly inelastic collision

2 2
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑣𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 15.6𝑚/𝑠

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Linear Momentum November 2025

 Center of mass
 The center of mass of the system is located somewhere on the line joining the two
particles and is closer to the particle having the larger mass.
𝑚1 𝑥1 + 𝑚2 𝑥2
𝑥𝑐𝑚 =
𝑚1 + 𝑚2

If we have more than two particles

𝑛
𝑚1 𝑥1 + 𝑚2 𝑥2 + 𝑚3 𝑥3 + ⋯ 𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛 σ𝑛1 𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛 1
𝑥𝑐𝑚 = = = ෍ 𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛
𝑚1 + 𝑚2 + 𝑚3 + ⋯ 𝑚𝑛 σ𝑛1 𝑚𝑛 𝑀
1

 In general
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
1
𝑟𝑐𝑚 = 𝑥𝑐𝑚 + 𝑦𝑐𝑚 + 𝑧𝑐𝑚 = ෍ 𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛 + ෍ 𝑚𝑛 𝑦𝑛 + ෍ 𝑚𝑛 𝑧𝑛
𝑀
1 1 1

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Center of mass November 2025

 Center of mass

 Example
Three objects are located in a coordinate system.
Find the center of mass.

𝑀 = 5 + 2 + 4 𝑘𝑔 = 11𝑘𝑔

෍ 𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛 = 5 × −0.5 + (2 × 0) + (4 × 1) 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚 = 1.5𝑘𝑔. 𝑚

σ 𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛 1.5
𝑥𝑐𝑚 = = 𝑚 = 0.136𝑚
𝑀 11

෍ 𝑚𝑛 𝑦𝑛 = 5 × 1 + (2 × 0) + (4 × −0.5) 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚 = 3𝑘𝑔. 𝑚

σ 𝑚𝑛 𝑦𝑛 3
𝑦𝑐𝑚 = = 𝑚 = 0.273𝑚 𝑟𝑐𝑚 = 𝑥𝑐𝑚 + 𝑦𝑐𝑚 = 0.136, 0.273 𝑚
𝑀 11

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Center of mass November 2025

 Equilibrium of Particles

Torque (moment of force) (𝜏) the force multiplied by the perpendicular distance
from the point about which the moment is being measured.

 An object in mechanical equilibrium must satisfy the

following two conditions:

 𝑎Ԧ = 0
 𝛼Ԧ = 0

 Torque for clockwise moment is negative whereas for

counterclockwise moment is positive.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Equilibrium of Particles November 2025

 Equilibrium of Particles

𝐹𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎𝑡

𝐹𝑡 𝑟 = 𝑚𝑟𝑎𝑡 = 𝑚𝑟 2 𝛼 = 𝜏

𝜏 = 𝑚𝑟 2 𝛼 = Iα

 𝐼 = 𝑚𝑟 2 is called the moment of inertia of the object of mass m.

 The angular acceleration of an extended rigid object is proportional to the net

torque acting on it.

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Equilibrium of Particles November 2025

 Equilibrium of Particles

 Moments of Inertia for Various Rigid Objects

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Equilibrium of Particles November 2025

 Equilibrium of Particles
 Example
Calculate the net torque (magnitude and direction) on
the beam about (a) an axis through O and (b) an axis
through C.
 𝑠𝑖𝑛45 = 0.71  30𝑠𝑖𝑛45 = 21.3𝑁
 𝑠𝑖𝑛60 = 0.87  25𝑠𝑖𝑛60 = 21.75𝑁
 𝑠𝑖𝑛20 = 0.34  10𝑠𝑖𝑛20 = 3.4𝑁
 About O
 About C
Clockwise 𝜏𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝜏2 − 𝜏1 = 29.9𝑁𝑚 Clockwise 𝜏𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝜏2 − 𝜏1 = 35.8𝑁𝑚
𝜏1 = 3.4 × 4 = 13.6𝑁𝑚
𝜏1 = 3.4 × 2 = 6.8𝑁𝑚
Counterclockwise Counterclockwise
𝜏2 = 21.75 × 2 = 43.5𝑁𝑚
𝜏2 = 21.3 × 2 = 42.6𝑁𝑚

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven Equilibrium of Particles November 2025

 End

Mekuanint L (Dr.) Chapter seven November 2025