Momentum Conceptual Questions

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

What is the law of conservation of momentum?

Back

The law of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, the total momentum before an event (like a collision) is equal to the total momentum after the event.

Front

What happens to momentum in a perfectly elastic collision?

Back

In a perfectly elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

Front

What happens to momentum in an inelastic collision?

Back

In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not; some kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy.

Front

What is an example of a perfectly elastic collision?

Back

An example of a perfectly elastic collision is the collision between two billiard balls.

Front

What is an example of an inelastic collision?

Back

An example of an inelastic collision is a car crash where the vehicles crumple together.

Front

How does mass affect momentum?

Back

Momentum increases with an increase in mass; for a constant velocity, doubling the mass will double the momentum.

Front

How does velocity affect momentum?

Back

Momentum increases with an increase in velocity; for a constant mass, doubling the velocity will double the momentum.

Front

What is the relationship between momentum and force?

Back

The change in momentum of an object is equal to the impulse applied to it, which is the product of force and the time duration of its application (Impulse = Force x Time).

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 Impulse = Force x Time.