AP Physics - Momentum

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, the total momentum before and after a collision remains constant, provided no external forces act on it.

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.

Front

How do you calculate the mass of an object using momentum?

Back

Mass can be calculated using the formula m = p/v, where p is momentum and v is velocity.

Front

What happens to momentum in a closed system during a collision?

Back

The total momentum of a closed system remains constant during a collision, regardless of the type of collision.

Front

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

Back

This is an inelastic collision.

Front

What is the formula for calculating momentum?

Back

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

Front

How does mass affect momentum?

Back

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

Front

What is the unit of momentum?

Back

The unit of momentum is kilogram meter per second (kg m/s).

Front

If a car has a mass of 1,500 kg and is traveling at 20 m/s, what is its momentum?

Back

The momentum of the car is 30,000 kg m/s (calculated as p = mv = 1,500 kg * 20 m/s).