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

State 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 or explosion) is equal to the total momentum after the event.

Front

What happens to momentum in an explosion?

Back

In an explosion, the total momentum of the system is conserved. The momentum of the pieces after the explosion will equal the momentum of the object before the explosion.

Front

How does mass affect momentum?

Back

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

Front

If two objects collide and stick together, what type of collision is this?

Back

This is called an inelastic collision, where kinetic energy is not conserved, but momentum is.

Front

What is an elastic collision?

Back

An elastic collision is a collision in which both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

Front

Explain the concept of 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 × time.

Front

What is the relationship between force and momentum?

Back

The relationship is given by the equation F = Δp/Δt, where F is force, Δp is the change in momentum, and Δt is the time over which the force acts.

Front

How does throwing an object in space affect the thrower?

Back

When an object is thrown in space, the thrower experiences an equal and opposite reaction, causing them to move in the opposite direction.

Front

What is the momentum of an object at rest?

Back

The momentum of an object at rest is zero, as momentum is the product of mass and velocity, and velocity is zero.