2025 Impulse MCQ

Objects X and Y are constrained to move along a straight line. The graphs above show the net force exerted along that line on each of the objects as functions of time. Which of the following correctly ranks the change in momentum of the objects?

• Δp_X < Δp_Y

• Δp_X = Δp_Y

• Δp_X > Δp_Y

• The ranking cannot be determined without knowing the masses of the objects.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

A stationary cart attached to a force gauge is on a straight, horizontal, frictionless track. A student uses the force gauge to move the cart, and the gauge produces the graph of force as a function of time shown above. How does the momentum of the cart change during the time interval 0 s to 20 s?

• The momentum increases in magnitude during the entire time interval.

• The momentum decreases in magnitude during the entire time interval.

• The momentum increases in magnitude at first, then decreases and reverses direction.

• The momentum increases in magnitude at first, then decreases without reversing direction.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

A cart with mass 0.25 kg moves along a straight, horizontal track aligned with the x-axis. The cart is initially moving in the −x-direction with a speed of 10 m/s. A horizontal force in the +x-direction is exerted on the cart for 0.002 s, as shown in the force–time graph. Which option from the table correctly indicates how the magnitude of the cart’s momentum and the direction of the cart’s momentum have changed at the end of the 0.002 s interval?

• A: Magnitude decreased; Direction changed

• B: Magnitude decreased; Direction did not change

• C: Magnitude increased; Direction changed

• D: Magnitude increased; Direction did not change

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

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Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

A student conducts an experiment in which an object travels across a horizontal surface. For 2 s, a net force is applied to a 2 kg object that initially travels with a speed of 0.5 m/s. The graph shows the magnitude of the applied force on the object as a function of time. All frictional forces are negligible. Can the student use the graph and the known data to determine the momentum of the object after the force has been applied?

• Yes, because the area under the best-fit line and the horizontal axis from 0 s to 2 s can be used to determine the change in momentum of the object.

• No, because the data is too scattered to determine the average force that is exerted on the object.

• No, because the student needs to know the direction of the applied force; the applied force direction determines the direction of the change in momentum of the object.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

• Yes, because the force on Cart B increases to a value greater than that of Cart A.

• Yes, because the slope of the graph is greater for Cart B than Cart A.

• No, because the mass of Cart B is twice that of Cart A.

• No, because the areas under the curve for both cars are equal.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

• The momentum of the object has decreased to zero at time t₁.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

A person applies an impulse of 5 kg m/s to a box in order to set it in motion. If the person is in contact with the box for 0.25 s, what is the average force exerted by the person on the box?

• 1.25 N

• 2.00 N

• 12.5 N

• 20.0 N

• 200 N

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

• The change in momentum is in the negative direction.

• The change in momentum is in the positive direction.

• The change in momentum is zero.

• The direction of the change in momentum cannot be determined without knowing the value of the average force and time in which the force is exerted.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

On a straight horizontal track along which blocks can slide with negligible friction, block 1 slides toward block 2, which is initially at rest. Block 1 collides with an electronic force probe attached to block 2, generating a force vs. time graph and causing block 2 to start sliding. What additional measurements must be made to determine the momentum of block 2 after the collision?

• None

• The mass of block 2 only

• The post-collision speed of block 2 only

• Both the mass and the post-collision speed of block 1

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2