TOPIC 5 FURTHER MECHANICS

Topic 5A Further momentum

1 Two cars collide head on and come to an immediate stop. Which statement best
describes this?
A The two cars initially had equal momentum and the collision was elastic.
B The two cars initially had equal momentum and the collision was inelastic.
C The two cars initially had equal kinetic energy and the collision was elastic.
D The two cars initially had equal kinetic energy and the collision was
inelastic.

Your answer
(1)
(Total for Question 1 = 1 mark)

2 A space probe of mass 130 kg is designed to vent gas at 250 m s–1 in order to

adjust its velocity. It takes 20 s to empty the canister, which contains 2.40 kg of
gas. The gas is vented in the direction of motion of the probe.

(a) Calculate the change in momentum of the exhaust gas, giving the correct
unit for your answer.
(2)

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(b) The gas is vented in the same direction as the motion of the probe.
Describe the effect this has on the momentum of the probe. Give a reason
for your answer.
(3)

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(c) Calculate the average magnitude of the force exerted by the gas.
(2)

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 (d) A design simulation shows that the velocity will decrease by 4.6 m s–1.
However, the designers realise that they have not taken into account the
mass lost as the gas is ejected. Without further calculation, explain how
taking the mass loss into account will affect the velocity change.
(2)

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(e) A second simulation is run in which the same mass of gas is ejected from
the canister at twice the velocity. Explain the effect on each of the following:
(i) The momentum change of the probe
(2)

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(ii) The impulse acting on the probe

(2)

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(iii) The force exerted on the probe

(3)

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(Total for Question 2 = 16 marks)

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3 A proton of mass mp is accelerated from initial velocity, u, to final velocity, v, in
an electric field and gains kinetic energy E.

(a) Derive an equation for the kinetic energy in terms of p, the momentum of
the proton, at any given velocity.
(1)

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(b) An average force of 12 N is exerted on the proton for 2.5 ns. Calculate the
kinetic energy of the proton assuming that it started at rest.
(2)

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(Total for Question 3 = 3 marks)

TOTAL FOR ASSESSMENT = 20 MARKS

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document may have been altered from the original
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