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

Front

What are the units of momentum?

Back

The units of momentum are kg·m/s (kilogram meter per second).

Front

What is impulse?

Back

Impulse is the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a period of time, represented by the formula J = Δp = FΔt, where J is impulse, Δp is change in momentum, F is force, and Δt is time.

Front

What are the units of impulse?

Back

The units of impulse are N·s (Newton second).

Front

How does impulse relate to momentum?

Back

Impulse is equal to the change in momentum of an object. If a force is applied to an object for a certain time, the impulse given to the object will change its momentum.

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 an event (like a collision) is equal to the total momentum after the event.

Front

What happens to momentum in a perfectly elastic collision?

Back

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

Front

What happens to momentum in an inelastic collision?

Back

In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not conserved; some kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy.

Front

Calculate the momentum of a 75 kg biker moving at 5 m/s.

Back

The momentum is 375 kg·m/s (p = mv = 75 kg * 5 m/s).

Front

If a car has a momentum of 600 kg·m/s and is moving at 20 m/s, what is its mass?

Back

The mass is 30 kg (m = p/v = 600 kg·m/s / 20 m/s).