P1 Collisions Flashcard #1 no 2D

Front

What is the principle of conservation of momentum?

Back

The principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act on it. This means that the momentum before an event (like a collision) is equal to the momentum after the event.

Front

Define momentum in physics.

Back

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The formula for momentum (p) is p = m * v, where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

How do you calculate the final velocity of an object after a collision?

Back

To calculate the final velocity after a collision, use the conservation of momentum formula: m1 * v1 + m2 * v2 = m1 * v1' + m2 * v2', where m1 and m2 are the masses, v1 and v2 are the initial velocities, and v1' and v2' are the final velocities.

Front

What is an elastic collision?

Back

An elastic collision is a type of collision where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. In such collisions, the objects bounce off each other without any loss of total kinetic energy.

Front

What is an inelastic collision?

Back

An inelastic collision is a type of collision where momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not. In these collisions, the objects may stick together or deform, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy.

Front

If a 95 kg astronaut throws a 15 kg tank at 9.6 m/s, what is the astronaut's final speed?

Back

The astronaut's final speed is -1.52 m/s, calculated using conservation of momentum.

Front

What happens to the velocity of an object when it collides with another object of greater mass?

Back

In a collision with a larger mass, the smaller mass will typically experience a greater change in velocity, often reversing direction, while the larger mass will have a smaller change in velocity.

Front

How do you determine the direction of velocity after a collision?

Back

The direction of velocity after a collision is determined by the direction of the momentum vectors of the colliding objects. The net momentum vector will indicate the direction of the combined object's velocity.

Front

What is the formula for calculating the momentum of an object?

Back

The formula for calculating momentum (p) is p = m * v, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity.

Front

In a collision, if one object moves east and the other moves west, how do you assign positive and negative directions?

Back

Typically, east is assigned as the positive direction and west as the negative direction. This helps in calculating net momentum and velocity.