Momentum and Impulse

Front

What is momentum?

Back

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, represented by the formula p = mv.

Front

What is the formula for calculating momentum?

Back

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

Front

What is 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

How is momentum conserved in a closed system?

Back

In a closed system, the total momentum before an event (like a collision) is equal to the total momentum after the event.

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

What happens to momentum in a perfectly inelastic collision?

Back

In a perfectly inelastic collision, the colliding objects stick together, and the total momentum is conserved while kinetic energy is not.

Front

How do you calculate the final velocity after an inelastic collision?

Back

Use the conservation of momentum: m1*v1 + m2*v2 = (m1 + m2)*vf, where vf is the final velocity.

Front

What is the unit of momentum?

Back

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

Front

Can an object have momentum if it is at rest?

Back

No, an object at rest has zero momentum because its velocity is zero.

Front

What is the relationship between force and impulse?

Back

Impulse is equal to the change in momentum, which can also be expressed as the product of force and the time duration over which the force acts.