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 principle of conservation of momentum?

Back

The principle of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system with no external forces, the total momentum before an event (like a collision) is equal to the total momentum after the event.

Front

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

Back

It is called an inelastic collision.

Front

What happens to the momentum of a system when two objects collide elastically?

Back

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

Front

How does the mass of an object affect its momentum?

Back

Momentum increases with an increase in mass if velocity remains constant, as momentum is directly proportional to mass.

Front

What is the formula for calculating momentum?

Back

The formula for momentum is p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity.

Front

In a closed system, if one object’s momentum increases, what happens to another object’s momentum?

Back

Another object's momentum must decrease to keep the total momentum of the system constant.

Front

What is an example of a situation where momentum is conserved?

Back

A collision between two bumper cars where no external forces act on them is an example of momentum conservation.

Front

What is the effect of throwing an object in space on the thrower?

Back

The thrower will move in the opposite direction of the thrown object due to conservation of momentum.

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.