PHYSICAL SCIENCES
GRADE 12
MECHANICS: MOMENTUM AND IMPULSE
BY : MAHLABA JABULILE
TIMETABLE FROM THE ATP
• MONDAY
➢ Define & calculate the momentum of a moving object : p=mv
➢ Describe the vector nature of momentum & draw vector diagrams . State Newton’s second law in terms of momentum : ∆ p×Fnet= ∆t
➢ Calculate the change in momentum when a resultant force acts on an object.
➢ Define impulse
➢ Problems
• WEDNESDAY
➢ Continuation of calculating momentum
➢ Use the impulse momentum theorem(Fnet × ∆t = m ∆v) in calculations for a variety of situations(1-D)
➢ Problems\assess
• FRIDAY
➢ Impulse and safety considerations
➢ State the principle of conservation of linear momentum
➢ Explain what is meant by an isolated system , internal and external forces
➢ Apply conservation of linear momentum to collisions of two objects
➢ Distinguish between elastic and inelastic collisions by calculation
• SUNDAY
➢ Consolidation/more assessing less teaching
Rules
• Please make sure to check the Whatsapp group description for
the rules and make sure to comply.
• Please ask questions , don’t wait until the last minute !!!!!
• Participation is non-negotiable
• If you can’t make it to class , let me know privately with a valid
reason
Momentum Linear momentum is the product of an object’s mass and velocity
In symbols : p=mv unit : N.s or kg.m.s -1
Newton’s Second Law of motion in terms of momentum The net (or resultant) force acting on an object is equal to the rate of
change of momentum of the object in the direction of the net force.
∆𝑝
In symbols : Fnet= ∆𝑡
Principle of conservation of linear momentum The total linear momentum in an isolated system remains constant(is
conserved).
In symbols : ∑pbefore = ∑pafter
Closed system A system in which the net external force acting on the system is zero
Impulse The product of the resultant/net force acting on an object and the
time the resultant/net force acts on the object.
In symbols : Impulse=Fnet∆t unit : N.s or kg.m.s-1
Impulse-momentum theorem In symbols : Fnet∆t=m∆v=m(Vf-Vi)
Unit : N.s or kg.m.s-1
Elastic collision A collision in which both total momentum and total kinetic energy are
conserved.
Inelastic collision A collision during which kinetic energy is not conserved.
SUMMARY
• Definitions
• Momentum formula
• Change in momentum
• Newton’s second law in terms of momentum
• Impulse momentum theorem
➢ Application
• Conservation of linear momentum
➢ Newtons second law
➢ Application
• Elastic and inelastic collisions
➢ Problem types
1. Two objects collide and continue to move as separate objects after the collision
2. Two objects collide and unite
3. Two moving objects that are initially joined , then separate
4. Two stationery objects that are initially joined, separate
5. An object falls vertically onto another object that is moving horizontally below it
• Momentum is a property which applies to
moving objects, in fact it is mass in
motion. If something has mass and it is
moving then it has momentum.
Linear momentum is the product of an
object’s mass and velocity
MOMENTUM In symbols : p=mv
kg.m.s-1
unit : N.s or
The momentum of an object is defined as
the product of its mass and velocity
• Momentum is directly proportional to both
the mass and velocity of an object
Change in momentum
When an object’s velocity changes in
magnitude (size) or direction, its
momentum will also change. Since
We only study objects moving in
an object's mass remains constant
straight lines, for example, backwards
during a collision (assuming it does
and forwards, left and right or up and
not break up or approach light
down.
speed), it follows that the change in
its velocity is what causes a change in
its momentum.
• We know that the final momentum vector must be the
CHANGE IN sum of the initial momentum vector and the change in
momentum vector, ∆p = m∆v. This means that, using
MOMENTUM tail to-head vector addition, ∆p, must be the vector that
starts at the head of pi and ends on the head of pf .
• 1. Make a sketch (on your rough work page) of the situation.
• 2. Always choose and indicate direction and write it down
Steps to clearly. It is
• recommended that you choose a positive direction (e.g. to
follow when the right
solving • is positive).
• 3. Write down the information in symbols. Remember to
problems include the
• correct signs for the directions of the initial and final
velocity.
• 4. Choose the correct formula from the information sheet.
• 5. Substitute the values into the formula.
• 6. Solve for the unknown variable.
• Newton’s Second Law of Motion can be
Newton’s used to find the object’s acceleration due
to the net force, and the object’s change in
Second Law momentum due to the net force.
of • We know that the object’s change in
momentum is always:directly proportional
Motion in to the net force acting on the object Δp ∝
terms of Fnet directly proportional to the time that
the net force acts on the object Δp ∝ Δt in
momentum the direction of the net force acting on the
object.
• Impulse is another way to define momentum.
Impulse is a measure of the amount of force applied
to an object, for a certain period of time. Think of it
as a measure of the shock experienced by an object
when another object collides with it.
• The formula for Impulse is: Impulse = F∆t where F is
Impulse force in newtons N , ∆t is change in time in seconds
• Impulse and momentum are in fact the same thing.
We can show this by dimensional analysis, that is,
by working out what the units of impulse are, and
comparing the units to the units of momentum.
• Air-bags in motor vehicles
Air bags are used in motor vehicles because they are able to reduce the effect of
the force experienced by a person during an accident. Air bags extend the time
required to stop the momentum of the driver and passenger. During a collision, the
motion of the driver and passenger carries them towards the windshield. If they
are stopped by a collision with the windshield, it would result in a large force
exerted over a short time in order to bring them to a stop. If instead of hitting the
SAFETY windshield, the driver and passenger hit an air bag, then the time of the impact is
increased. Increasing the time of the impact results in a decrease in the force. F =
CONSIDERATIONS ∆p ∆t Therefore if t is increased, for a constant change in momentum, force on
body is reduced
• Padding as protection during sports
The same principle explains why wicket keepers in cricket use padded gloves or
why there are padded mats in gymnastics. In cricket, when the wicket keeper
catches the ball, the padding is slightly compressible, thus reducing the effect of
the force on the wicket keepers hands. Similarly, if a gymnast falls, the padding
compresses and reduces the effect of the force on the gymnast’s body.
• Arrestor beds for trucks
An arrestor bed is a patch of ground that is softer than the road. Trucks use
these when they have to make an emergency stop. When a trucks reaches an
arrestor bed the time interval over which the momentum is changed is
increased. This decreases the force and causes the truck to slow down.
• Follow-through in sports
In sports where rackets and bats are used, like tennis, cricket, squash,
badminton and baseball, the hitter is often encouraged to follow-through when
striking the ball. High speed films of the collisions between bats/rackets and
balls have shown that following through increases the time over which the
collision between the racket/bat and ball occurs. This increase in the time of
the collision causes an increase in the velocity change of the ball. This means
that a hitter can cause the ball to leave the racket/bat faster by following
through. In these sports, returning the ball with a higher velocity often
increases the chances of success.
• Crumple zones in cars
Another safety application of trying to reduce the force experienced
is in crumple zones in cars. When two cars have a collision, two
things can happen: 1. the cars bounce off each other, or
2. the cars crumple together.
Which situation is more dangerous for the occupants of the cars?
When cars bounce off each other, or rebound, there is a larger
change in momentum and therefore a larger impulse. A larger
impulse means that a greater force is experienced by the occupants
of the cars. When cars crumple together, there is a smaller change in
momentum and therefore a smaller impulse. The smaller impulse
means that the occupants of the cars experience a smaller force.
Car manufacturers use this idea and design crumple zones into
cars, such that the car has a greater chance of crumpling than
rebounding in a collision. Also, when the car crumples, the change in
the car’s momentum happens over a longer time. Both these effects
result in a smaller force on the occupants of the car, thereby
increasing their chances of survival.
• We have shown that the net change in momentum is zero for an
isolated system. The momenta of the individual objects can
change but the total momentum of the system remains constant.
• pTi = ~pTf
• This means that in an isolated system the total momentum before
a collision or explosion is equal to the total momentum after the
collision or explosion.
COLLISIONS • Elastic collisions
➢ linear momentum is conserved
➢ colliding objects remain separate and are not changed in any way
➢ total kinetic energy is conserved:∑Eki = ∑Ekf
➢ Ek before collision = Ek after collision
➢ the initial kinetic energy is not transformed into any other forms of
energy.
Step 1. Choose a direction as positive.
Step 2. Sketch the situation – draw a block to represent each object.
Step 3. Write down the equation for the Conservation of Momentum:
Step 4. Expand this equation according to the type of collision.
Step 5. Substitute the known values into the equation. Remember to
COLLISIONS
check the direction of the objects’ velocities and to use the correct signs for
the directions.
Step 6. Calculate the answer.
Step 7. Write the answer, include units and indicate the direction.
VERY IMPORTANT
• Always remember to include units in your answer
• Remember that the +/- signs represent direction
• Inelastic Collisions:
➢ linear momentum is conserved
➢ colliding objects are joined or change
their shapes
COLLISIONS ➢total kinetic energy is not conserved:∑Eki
> ∑Ekf
➢Ek before collision > Ek after collision
➢some of the initial kinetic energy is
transformed into other forms of energy
e.g. heat, light,sound.
Step 1. Calculate the sum of the kinetic energies of all the objects
before the collision
Steps for Step 2. Calculate the sum of the kinetic energies of all the objects
solving after the collision
Step 3. Compare the total kinetic energy of the system before the
problems on collision to the total kinetic energy of the system after the
elastic and collision.
Step 4. If Ʃ Eki = Ʃ Ekf ∴ Ʃ Ek before the colliison = Ʃ Ek after the
inelastic collision therefore
the collision was elastic
collisions If Ʃ Eki ≠ Ʃ Ekf ∴ Ʃ Ek before the collision ≠ Ʃ Ek after the collision
therefore
the collision was inelastic