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 happens to momentum in a closed system?

Back

In a closed system, the total momentum before an event (like a collision or explosion) is equal to the total momentum after the event, according to the law of conservation of momentum.

Front

If an object is at rest, what is its momentum?

Back

If an object is at rest, its momentum is zero because momentum is the product of mass and velocity, and velocity is zero.

Front

How does increasing velocity affect momentum?

Back

Increasing the velocity of an object increases its momentum, as momentum is directly proportional to velocity.

Front

What is the relationship between mass and momentum?

Back

Momentum is directly proportional to mass; if the mass of an object increases while its velocity remains constant, its momentum increases.

Front

What happens to momentum when two objects collide elastically?

Back

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

Front

What happens to momentum when two objects collide inelastically?

Back

In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not; the objects may stick together after the collision.

Front

If a moving object throws a ball in the opposite direction, what happens to its momentum?

Back

The momentum of the system (the object and the ball) is conserved; the object will move in the opposite direction with a change in speed based on the mass and velocity of the ball.

Front

What is the effect of doubling the mass of an object on its momentum if velocity remains constant?

Back

If the mass of an object is doubled while its velocity remains constant, its momentum also doubles.

Front

What is the effect of tripling the velocity of an object on its momentum?

Back

If the velocity of an object is tripled, its momentum also triples, assuming mass remains constant.