Momentum

Question 1

What is momentum?

Answer 1

Momentum is the quantity of motion of a moving body measured as a product of its mass and velocity.
p = mv

Question 2

Is momentum a vector or scalar quantity?

Answer 2

Momentum is a vector quantity.

Question 3

How can the formula for force be written in terms of momentum?

Answer 3

F = Δp/Δt

Question 4

What is an impulse?

Answer 4

Impulse is the change in an object’s momentum. It is the product of the force and time during which it acts.
J = FΔt

Question 5

What does the impulse-momentum theorem state?

Answer 5

The impulse-momentum theorem states that impulse is equal to the change in an object’s momentum.
J = pf - p1

Question 6

What is the law of conservation of linear momentum?

Answer 6

The initial momentum and the final momentum are always equal in a closed system. This law is used t analyze collisions.

Question 7

What are the three types of collisions?

Answer 7

Elastic collision, inelastic collision, and perfectly inelastic collision.

Question 8

What is an elastic collision?

Answer 8

In an elastic collision, objects bounce off each other in opposite directions. Both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1’ + m2v2’

Question 9

What is an inelastic collision?

Answer 9

In an inelastic collision, objects travel in the same direction after the collision. Kinetic energy is lost, but momentum is conserved.
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1’ + m2v2’

Question 10

What is a perfectly inelastic collision?

Answer 10

In a perfectly inelastic collision, the objects stick together and travel in the same direction. Kinetic energy is lost, but momentum is conserved.
m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1 + m2)v3