Momentum Flashcard

Front

What is momentum?

Back

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, represented by the formula p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity.

Front

Is momentum conserved in a closed system?

Back

Yes, in a closed system with no external forces, the total momentum before an interaction is equal to the total momentum after the interaction.

Front

What is a perfectly inelastic collision?

Back

A perfectly inelastic collision is a type of collision where two objects collide and stick together, moving as a single object after the collision.

Front

What happens to kinetic energy in a perfectly inelastic collision?

Back

In a perfectly inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved; some of it is transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.

Front

What is impulse?

Back

Impulse is the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a period of time, calculated as the product of the average force and the time duration.

Front

How does impulse relate to momentum?

Back

Impulse is equal to the change in momentum of an object, expressed as Impulse = Δp = F_avg * Δt.

Front

What is the law of conservation of momentum?

Back

The law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act on it.

Front

What is the total momentum of two colliding objects before and after a collision?

Back

The total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision, provided no external forces act on the system.

Front

In a collision, if one object is at rest, how does it affect momentum?

Back

The momentum of the moving object is transferred to the stationary object, affecting their velocities after the collision.

Front

What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

Back

In elastic collisions, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved; in inelastic collisions, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not.