Momentum And Impulse

Question 1

State the law of conservation of linear momentum

Answer 1

The total linear momentum of an isolated (or closed) system of interacting bodies remains constant (is reserved)

Question 2

Define isolated system

Answer 2

An object or collection of objects on which no external forces act (I.e. The external net force acting on the system is zero)

Question 3

Express Newton’s second law in terms of momentum

Answer 3

The net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the object in the direction of the net force

Question 4

Define elastic collision

Answer 4

A collision in which both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved

Question 5

Define inelastic collision

Answer 5

A collision in which only momentum is conserved

Question 6

Define impulse (vector)

Answer 6

The product of the net force acting on an object and the time for which it acts

Question 7

Define Momentum (vector)

Answer 7

The product of an object’s mass and its velocity.

The linear momentum of an object has a direction in the same direction as the velocity of the object.