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Impulse and Momentum Explained

This lesson covers the concepts of impulse, momentum, and the law of conservation of momentum, explaining their significance in various scenarios such as car collisions and sports impacts. Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity, while impulse is the effect of force over time that changes momentum. The law of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, total momentum before and after an interaction remains constant.

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5 views5 pages

Impulse and Momentum Explained

This lesson covers the concepts of impulse, momentum, and the law of conservation of momentum, explaining their significance in various scenarios such as car collisions and sports impacts. Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity, while impulse is the effect of force over time that changes momentum. The law of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, total momentum before and after an interaction remains constant.

Uploaded by

Secret Girl
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lesson 5: Impulse, Momentum, and

Conservation of Momentum
I. Introduction
Momentum is a key concept that describes the quantity of motion an object has.

Impulse explains how forces change that momentum. These ideas are essential for
understanding:

 Car collisions
 Sports impacts (kicking a ball)
 Rockets and explosions
 Safety devices (airbags)

II. Momentum
Momentum depends on both an object’s mass and velocity.

[
p = mv
]

Where:

 (p) = momentum (kg·m/s)


 (m) = mass (kg)
 (v) = velocity (m/s)

👉 Momentum is a vector — direction matters!

Objects with greater mass or speed have larger momentum.

III. Impulse
Impulse describes the effect of a force applied over a period of time.
[
J = F \cdot t
]

Where:

 (J) = impulse (N·s)


 (F) = net force (N)
 (t) = time applied (s)

Impulse changes momentum:

[
J = \Delta p
]
[
F \cdot t = mv_f - mv_i
]

IV. Law of Conservation of Momentum


In a closed system (no external forces), the total momentum before interaction equals the total
momentum after.

[
p_{initial} = p_{final}
]
[
m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2
]

Used for:

 Collisions (billiard balls)


 Explosions (fireworks)
 Car crashes
V. Types of Collisions
Type of
Kinetic Energy Example
Collision

Billiard balls bounce with no


Elastic KE conserved
energy loss

Inelastic KE not conserved Cars crumpling during crashes

Perfectly Objects stick


Two carts locking together
Inelastic together

Momentum is always conserved in all collisions.

VI. Sample Problems


Problem 1: Momentum

A 3 kg object moves at 4 m/s. What is its momentum?

Solution:
[
p = mv = 3(4) = 12 , kg\cdot m/s
]

Problem 2: Impulse

A force of 50 N acts on a ball for 0.2 s.


Find the impulse.

Solution:
[
J = Ft = 50(0.2) = 10 , N \cdot s
]
Problem 3: Conservation of Momentum

A 4 kg cart moving at 5 m/s collides with a 2 kg cart at rest. They stick together.
Find their final velocity.

Solution:
[
p_i = (4)(5) + (2)(0) = 20
]
[
m_{total} = 4 + 2 = 6
]
[
v_f = \frac{20}{6} \approx 3.33 , m/s
]

Problem 4: Impulse–Momentum

A 0.15 kg baseball is thrown at 30 m/s and is caught so it stops in 0.05 s.


Find the average force exerted by the glove.

Solution:
[
\Delta p = mv_f - mv_i = (0.15)(0) - (0.15)(30) = -4.5
]
[
F = \frac{\Delta p}{t} = \frac{-4.5}{0.05} = -90 , N
]

Negative sign → opposite direction of motion

VII. Summary
Concept Definition

Momentum Product of mass and velocity

Impulse Force × time, changes momentum

Law of Conservation of Total momentum remains constant in a closed


Momentum system

Collisions Classified by kinetic energy loss


Concept Definition

Impulse and momentum are especially useful in analyzing short-duration, high-force events.

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