8 Momentum

Momentum is conserved
for all collisions as long as
external forces don’t
interfere.
8 Momentum

The concept of inertia

was introduced and
developed both in terms
of objects at rest and
objects in motion. In
this chapter we are
concerned only with the
concept of inertia in
motion—momentum.
8 Momentum

Momentum

A moving object can have a large

momentum if it has a large mass, a
high speed, or both.
8 Momentum

Momentum

It is harder to stop a large truck than a small car

when both are moving at the same speed. Why
is this so?
The truck has more momentum than the
car. By momentum, we mean inertia in
motion.
8 Momentum

Momentum
Momentum is the mass of an object
multiplied by its velocity.
momentum = mass × velocity
momentum = mv
When direction is not an important factor,
momentum = mass × speed
8 Momentum

Momentum
• A moving truck has more momentum than a
car moving at the same speed because the
truck has more mass.
• A fast car can have more momentum than
a slow truck.
• A truck at rest has no momentum at all.
8 Momentum

Momentum
A truck rolling down a hill has more momentum
than a roller skate with the same speed. But if
the truck is at rest and the roller skate moves,
then the skate has more momentum.
8 Momentum

Momentum
think!
Can you think of a case where a roller skate
and a truck would have the same
momentum?
8 Momentum

Momentum
think!
The roller skate and truck can have the same
momentum if the speed of the roller skate is
much greater than the speed of the truck. For
example, a 1000-kg truck backing out of a
driveway at 0.01 m/s has the same momentum
as a 1-kg skate going 10 m/s. Both have
momentum = 10 kg•m/s.
8 Momentum

Momentum

What factors affect an object’s

momentum?
8 Momentum

Points to Ponder!!!
• Why is falling on • Why is it
the grass less important to
dangerous than follow through
falling on when swinging a
concrete? bat or golf club?
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

The change in momentum depends on

the force that acts and the length of
time it acts.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

If the momentum of an object changes, either

the mass or the velocity or both change.
The greater the force acting on an object, the
greater its change in velocity and the greater
its change in momentum.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

Impulse

A force sustained for a long time produces

more change in momentum than does the
same force applied briefly.
Both force and time are important in changing
an object’s momentum.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

What happens when you push the car with the
same force for twice the time?
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

The quantity force × time interval is tcalled h e

impulse. by
t um !!!!!
en SE
impulse = F × t om UL
s m MP
The greater thecimpulseiv e n I
exerted on something,
e e f a
the greater y r
will be theo
n change in momentum.
d
o ica t io
b
A ppl= change in momentum
impulse
a
Ft = ∆(mv)
8 Momentum

Getting a Move On
Consider a block of ice
on a friction-free frozen
lake. Suppose a
continuous force acts on
the block. Of course,
this causes the block to
get a move on, to
accelerate. After the
force has acted for
some time, the speed
8 Momentum

Getting a Move On
of the block has
increased a certain
amount. Now if the
force and mass of the
block are unchanged,
but the time the force
acts is doubled, then
the increase in the
speed will be? Answer: Doubled!
8 Momentum

Getting a Move On
Next, if the force and action time are
unchanged, but the mass of the block is
doubled, then the speed increase will be ?

Answer: Cut in half!

8 Momentum

Getting a Move On
And now suppose only the force is doubled
while the mass and action time are unchanged.
Then the increase in speed will be ?

Answer: Doubled!
8 Momentum

Getting a Move On
Finally, suppose the applied force, mass and
action time are all as they were initially, but
somehow the force of gravity is doubled – like
if the experiment were conducted on another
planet . Then the increase in speed will be?

Answer: Unchanged!
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

Increasing Momentum

To increase the momentum of an object, apply

the greatest force possible for as long as
possible.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

The force of
impact on a golf
ball varies
throughout the
duration of
impact 
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

The forces involved in impulses usually vary from
instant to instant.
• A golf club that strikes a golf ball exerts zero
force on the ball until it comes in contact with
it.
• The force increases rapidly as the ball
becomes distorted.
• The force diminishes as the ball comes up to
speed and returns to its original shape.
• We can use the average force to solve for the
impulse on an object.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

Decreasing Momentum

If you were in a car that was out of control and

had to choose between hitting a haystack or a
concrete wall. What would you choose?
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

If the change in momentum occurs over a
long time, the force of impact is small.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

If the change in momentum occurs over a
short time, the force of impact is large.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

When hitting either the wall or the haystack
and coming to a stop, the momentum is
decreased by the same impulse.
• The same impulse does not mean the
same amount of force or the same amount
of time.
• It means the same product of force and
time.
• To keep the force small, we extend the
time.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

When you extend the time, you reduce the
force.
• A padded dashboard in a car is safer than
a rigid metal one.
• Airbags save lives.
• To catch a fast-moving ball, extend your
hand forward and move it backward after
making contact with the ball.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes
Momentum
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

The impulse provided by a boxer’s jaw
counteracts the momentum of the punch.
a. The boxer moves away from the punch.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

The impulse provided by a boxer’s jaw
counteracts the momentum of the punch.
a. The boxer moves away from the punch.
b. The boxer movetoward the punch. ,\
Ouch!
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

think!
When a dish falls, will the impulse be less if it
lands on a carpet than if it lands on a hard
floor?
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

think!
When a dish falls, will the impulse be less if it
lands on a carpet than if it lands on a hard
floor?

Answer: No. The impulse would be the same

for either surface because the same
momentum change occurs for each. It is the
force that is less for the impulse on the carpet
because of the greater time of momentum
change.
8 Momentum

8.2 Impulse Changes Momentum

think!
If a boxer is able to make the contact time five times longer
by “riding” with the punch, how much will the force of the
punch impact be reduced?
8 Momentum

8.2 Impulse Changes Momentum

think!
If a boxer is able to make the contact time five times longer
by “riding” with the punch, how much will the force of the
punch impact be reduced?

Answer: Since the time of impact increases five times, the

force of impact will be reduced five times.
8 Momentum

8.2 Impulse Changes Momentum

What factors affect how much an object’s

momentum changes?
8 Momentum

Bouncing

The impulse required to bring an object

to a stop and then to “throw it back
again” is greater than the impulse
required merely to bring the object to a
stop.
8 Momentum

Bouncing

Suppose you catch a falling pot with your

hands.
• You provide an impulse to reduce its
momentum to zero.
• If you throw the pot upward again, you
have to provide additional impulse.
8 Momentum

Bouncing
If the flower pot falls from a
shelf onto your head, you
may be in trouble.
If it bounces from your head,
you may be in more serious
trouble because impulses
are greater when an object
bounces. The increased
impulse is supplied by your
head if the pot bounces.
8 Momentum

Bouncing

Is the karate chop

delivered in a short
time or a long time?

Describe the
momentum
changed that
occurred.
8 Momentum

Bouncing
The waterwheels used in gold mining
operations during the California Gold Rush
were not very effective.
Lester A. Pelton designed a curve-shaped
paddle that caused the incoming water to
make a U-turn upon impact. The water
“bounced,” increasing the impulse exerted on
the waterwheel.
8 Momentum

Bouncing
The curved blades of the Pelton Wheel cause
water to bounce and make a U-turn, producing
a large impulse that turns the wheel.
8 Momentum

Think!!!
When you deliver a karate chop to a stack of
bricks, how will the impulse differ if your hand
bounces back upon striking the bricks?

Answer: The impulse will be greater if your

hand bounces upon impact.
8 Momentum

Think!!!
How does the force exerted on the bricks
compare to the force exerted on your hand?

Answer: By virtue of Newton’s third law, the

forces will be equal.
8 Momentum

Bouncing

How does the impulse of a bounce

compare to stopping only?
8 Momentum

Dotted Isolating System!

Border
represents
the system
being
considered
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum

The law of conservation of momentum

states that, in the absence of an
external force, the momentum of a
system remains unchanged.
8 Momentum

Conservation of momentum
Consider a dropped
apple in free fall as
illustrated in the
Penetrating
diagram on the right.
Vector
If the system is taken
represents
to be the apple, what
the force of
can be said about
gravity
the momentum of the
(external
apple?
force)!
8 Momentum

Conservation of momentum
If the system is
considered the apple
and the Earth
system,Thethen the
momentum of any interaction is
interaction
alwaysbetween
conserved if you make your
the apple andsystem
Earth big enough!
is internal to the
system
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
The force or impulse that changes momentum
must be exerted on the object by something
outside the object.
• Molecular forces within a basketball have no
effect on the momentum of the basketball.
• A push against the dashboard from inside
does not affect the momentum of a car.
These are internal forces. They come in
balanced pairs that cancel within the object.
8 Momentum

Conservation of momentum
How does the swinging balls apparatus (see figure
below) demonstrate momentum conservation?

Same number of balls should emerge

on the other side at the same speed.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
The momentum before firing is zero. After
firing, the net momentum is still zero because
the momentum of the cannon is equal and
opposite to the momentum of the cannonball.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
The force on the cannonball inside the cannon
barrel is equal and opposite to the force
causing the cannon to recoil. The action and
reaction forces are internal to the system so
they don’t change the momentum of the
cannon-cannonball system.
• Before the firing, the momentum is zero.
• After the firing, the net momentum is still
zero.
• Net momentum is neither gained nor lost.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
• The cannonball gains momentum and the
recoiling cannon gains momentum in the
opposite direction.
• The cannon-cannonball system gains none.
• The momenta of the cannonball and the
cannon are equal in magnitude and opposite
in direction.
• No net force acts on the system so there is no
net impulse on the system and there is no net
change in the momentum.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
In every case, the momentum
of a system cannot change
unless it is acted on by
external forces.
When any quantity in physics
does not change, we say it is
conserved.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
The law of conservation of momentum
describes the momentum of a system:
If a system undergoes changes wherein all
forces are internal, the net momentum of the
system before and after the event is the same.
Examples are:
• atomic nuclei undergoing radioactive
decay,
• cars colliding, and
• stars exploding.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
Think!!!!
How does the momentum conservation apply
in a rifle being fired?

Force exerted by the Force exerted by the

bullet on the rifle rifle on the bullet
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
Think!!!!
How does the momentum conservation apply
in a rifle being fired?

mV m V
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum

think!
Newton’s second law states that if no net
force is exerted on a system, no acceleration
occurs. Does it follow that no change in
momentum occurs?
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
think!

Answer: Yes, because no acceleration means

that no change occurs in velocity or in
momentum (mass × velocity). Another line of
reasoning is simply that no net force means
there is no net impulse and thus no change in
momentum.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
think!
If you toss a ball horizontally while on a
skateboard, you’ll roll backward with the
same amount of momentum given to the ball.
Will you roll backward if you go through the
motions of tossing the ball, but instead hold
onto it?
Answer: No! No net force on the ball
means no net force on you (3rd Law
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
think!
Consider two carts that are coupled together
by a compressed spring: the mass of one cart
is twice the other. After a connecting
compressed spring was released, how would
the speeds of the cart compare?

2m
m
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum

Consider a cue ball that makes a head-on

collision with an 8-ball at rest as shown
below. What do you think will happen?
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
Let’s draw an
imaginary line around
the 8-ball and let it be
our system. (Note:
Our system is initially
at rest). Describe
what’s happening in
Case 1.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
Let’s now concern
ourselves with the cue
ball. Draw an imaginary
line around it and
consider it as your
system. Describe what
happening in Case 2.
(Note: The cue ball is
initially moving)
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum
Now, consider the single
system comprised of
both balls. Draw an
imaginary line around
both balls-before
collision, during collision,
and after collision.
Describe what’s
happening in Case 3.
8 Momentum

Conservation of Momentum

What does the law of conservation

of momentum state?
8 Momentum

Collisions

Whenever objects collide in the

absence of external forces, the net
momentum of the objects before the
collision equals the net momentum of
the objects after the collision.
8 Momentum

Collisions
The collision of objects clearly shows
the conservation of momentum.
8 Momentum

Collisions
Elastic Collisions

When a moving billiard ball collides head-on

with a ball at rest, the first ball comes to rest
and the second ball moves away with a velocity
equal to the initial velocity of the first ball.
Momentum is transferred from the first ball to
the second ball.
8 Momentum

Collisions

When objects collide without being

permanently deformed and without generating
heat, the collision is an elastic collision.
Colliding objects bounce perfectly in perfect
elastic collisions.
The sum of the momentum vectors is the
same before and after each collision.
8 Momentum

Collisions
a. A moving ball strikes a ball at rest.
8 Momentum

Collisions
a. A moving ball strikes a ball at rest.
b. Two moving balls collide head-on.
8 Momentum

Collisions
a. A moving ball strikes a ball at rest.
b. Two moving balls collide head-on.
c. Two balls moving in the same direction
collide.
8 Momentum

Collisions
Inelastic Collisions
A collision in which the colliding objects
become distorted and generate heat during the
collision is an inelastic collision.
Momentum conservation holds true even in
inelastic collisions.
Whenever colliding objects become tangled or
couple together, a totally inelastic collision
occurs.
8 Momentum

Collisions A and B are

moving with
equal momenta
in opposite
directions.

After collision,
the coupled
wreck remains
at the point of
impact.
8 Momentum

Collisions A and B are moving

in the same direction.
What is the net
momentum equal to?

The momentum of A
is shared by the
momentum of B
8 Momentum

Collisions
In an inelastic collision between two freight
cars, the momentum of the freight car on the
left is shared with the freight car on the right.
8 Momentum

Collisions
The freight cars are of equal mass m, and one
car moves at 4 m/s toward the other car that is
at rest.
net momentum before collision = net momentum after

collision

(net mv)before = (net mv)after

(m)(4 m/s) + (m)(0 m/s) = (2m)(vafter)
8 Momentum

Collisions

Twice as much mass is moving after the

collision, so the velocity, vafter, must be one half
of 4 m/s.
vafter = 2 m/s in the same direction as the
velocity before the collision, vbefore.
8 Momentum

Collisions
The initial momentum is
shared by both cars
without loss or gain.
Momentum is conserved.
External forces are usually
negligible during the
collision, so the net
momentum does not
change during collision.
8 Momentum

Collisions
External forces may have an effect after the
collision:
• Billiard balls encounter friction with the table
and the air.
• After a collision of two trucks, the combined
wreck slides along the pavement and
friction decreases its momentum.
• Two space vehicles docking in orbit have
the same net momentum just before and
just after contact. Since there is no air
resistance in space, the combined
8 Momentum

Collisions
Perfectly elastic collisions are not common in
the everyday world. Drop a ball and after it
bounces from the floor, both the ball and the
floor are a bit warmer.
At the microscopic level, however, perfectly
elastic collisions are commonplace. For
example, electrically charged particles bounce
off one another without generating heat; they
don’t even touch in the classic sense of the
word.
8 Momentum

8.5 Collisions
An air track nicely demonstrates conservation of momentum.
Many small air jets provide a nearly frictionless cushion of air
for the gliders to slide on.
8 Momentum

8.5 Collisions
think!
One glider is loaded so it has three times the mass of another
glider. The loaded glider is initially at rest. The unloaded glider
collides with the loaded glider and the two gliders stick
together. Describe the motion of the gliders after the collision.
8 Momentum

8.5 Collisions
think!
One glider is loaded so it has three times the mass of another
glider. The loaded glider is initially at rest. The unloaded glider
collides with the loaded glider and the two gliders stick
together. Describe the motion of the gliders after the collision.

Answer: The mass of the stuck-together gliders is four times

that of the unloaded glider. The velocity of the stuck-together
gliders is one fourth of the unloaded glider’s velocity before
collision. This velocity is in the same direction as before, since
the direction as well as the amount of momentum is
conserved.
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
Consider a 6-kg fish that swims toward and
swallows a 2-kg fish that is at rest. If the
larger fish swims at 1 m/s, what is its
velocity immediately after lunch?
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
Consider a 6-kg fish that swims toward and
swallows a 2-kg fish that is at rest. If the
larger fish swims at 1 m/s, what is its
velocity immediately after lunch?

Momentum is conserved from the instant before lunch until the

instant after (in so brief an interval, water resistance does not
have time to change the momentum).
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
Suppose the small fish is not at rest but is
swimming toward the large fish at 2 m/s.
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
Suppose the small fish is not at rest but is
swimming toward the large fish at 2 m/s.
If we consider the direction of the large fish as
positive, then the velocity of the small fish is –
2 m/s.
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
The negative momentum of the small fish
slows the large fish.
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
If the small fish were swimming at –3 m/s,
then both fish would have equal and opposite
momenta.
Zero momentum before lunch would equal
zero momentum after lunch, and both fish
would come to a halt.
8 Momentum

Collisions
do the math!
Suppose the small fish swims at –4 m/s.
The minus sign tells us that after lunch the two-
fish system moves in a direction opposite to the
large fish’s direction before lunch.
8 Momentum

Collisions
1. A car of mass 2. What average force
1500 kg moves at 30 is exerted on a 30-g
m/s. What braking egg by a bed sheet if
force is needed to
the egg hits the
bring the car to a halt
in 10 s? sheet at 6 m/s and
takes 0.5 s to stop?
[Remember to work
in kilograms]
8 Momentum

Collisions
3. A 40-kg projectile 4. A car of mass 1400 kg
leaves a 2000-kg travels at 20 m/s and
launcher with a collides with a stationary
speed of 400 m/s. truck of mass 2800 kg, with
what is the recoil its parking brake off. The
two vehicles interlock as a
speed of the
result of the collision and
launcher?
slide along the icy road.
What is the velocity of the
car-truck system?
8 Momentum

RECALL
• In your notebook • https://www.physics
answer the classroom.com/Phy
sics-Interactives/Mo
following guide mentum-and-Collisi
questions by ons/Collision-Carts/
Collision-Carts-Inter
exploring the link active
on your right
8 Momentum

RECALL
a. Suppose both carts b. Suppose both carts
have the same mass. have the same mass
They move toward and stick together
each other at the when they collide.
same speed and The carts move
experience an elastic toward each other at
collision. Describe the equal speeds.
motion after collision. Describe their motion
after the collision.
8 Momentum

RECALL
c. Suppose one cart is at rest and is loaded so
that it has three times the mass of the moving
glider. Again, the gliders stick together when
they collide. Describe their motion after the
collision.
8 Momentum

RECALL
a. Suppose both carts Answer: Since the
have the same mass. collision is elastic,
They move toward the carts reverse
each other at the directions upon
same speed and colliding and move
experience an elastic away from each
collision. Describe the other at the same
motion after collision. speed as before.
8 Momentum

RECALL
b. Suppose both carts have the same mass and
stick together when they collide. The carts
move toward each other at equal speeds.
Describe their motion after the collision.
8 Momentum

RECALL
Answer: Before the collision, the carts had
equal and opposite momenta, since their equal
masses were moving in opposite directions at
the same speed. The net momentum of both is
zero. Since momentum is conserved, there net
momentum after they stick must also be zero.
They slam to dead halt.
8 Momentum

RECALL
c. Suppose one cart is at rest and is loaded so
that it has three times the mass of the moving
glider. Again, the carts stick together when they
collide. Describe their motion after the collision.
8 Momentum

Answer: Before collision, the net momentum is equal

to the momentum of the unloaded, moving cart. After
the collision, the net force is the same as before but now
the carts are stuck together and moving as a single unit.
The mass of the stuck-together gliders is four times that
of the unloaded glider. Thus, the velocity is 1/4 of the
unloaded cart’s velocity before collision and in the
same direction as before, since the direction as well as
the amount of momentum is conserved.
8 Momentum

RECALL
c. Suppose one cart is at rest and is loaded so
that it has three times the mass of the moving
glider. Again, the gliders stick together when
they collide. Describe their motion after the
collision.
8 Momentum

Elastic Collision

1 2

m1 v1 m2 v2 = 0

1 2
v2’
v1’ = 0
8 Momentum

Elastic Collision
v1 v2
1 2

m1 m2
v1’ v2’
1 2
8 Momentum

Elastic Collision
v1 v2
1 2

m1 m2
v1’ v2’
1 2
8 Momentum

Inelastic Collision

1 2

m1 v1 m2 v2 = 0

v’
1 2
8 Momentum

Inelastic Collision

1 2

m1 v1 m2 v2

2
v’
1
8 Momentum

Inelastic Collision
v1 v2
1 2

m1 m2
v1’ = v2’ = zero!!!
1 2
8 Momentum

Collisions

How does conservation of momentum apply

to collisions?
8 Momentum

Explosions

Suppose we have an isolated particle of mass

m, initially at rest, that suddenly explodes into
two particles of masses m1 and m2, which fly
apart as shown below.
8 Momentum

Explosions

The forces acting on the original particle that

caused it to break up were internal ones and
no external force was present.

Since m has the initial momentum of zero, the

final momentum of m1 and m2, when added
zero
together, must also be ______.
8 Momentum

Seatwork
• In a ¼ sheet of • Part One: Word
paper answer Problem
the following
questions. • Part Two: Multiple

Choice
8 Momentum

Think!!!
An astronaut in orbit outside an orbiting space
station throws her 800-g camera away in
disgust when it jams as shown below. If she
and her space suit together have a mass of
100 kg and the speed of the camera is 12 m/s,
how far from the space station will she be in
1.0 h?
8 Momentum

Think!!!

Answer: 0.35 km
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions

1. When the speed of an object is doubled, its

momentum
a. remains unchanged in accord with the
conservation of momentum.
b. doubles.
c. quadruples.
d. decreases.
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions

2. The impulse-momentum relationship is a

direct result of Newton’s
a. first law.
b. second law.
c. third law.
d. law of gravity.
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
3. When a falling object bounces, as it hits the
ground its change in momentum and the
impulse on it is
a. less than for stopping.
b. greater than for stopping.
c. the same as it is for stopping.
d. the same as it was when dropped.
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
4. On roller blades you horizontally toss a ball
away from you. The mass of the ball is one
tenth your mass. Compared with the speed
you give to the ball, your recoil speed will
ideally be
a. one tenth as much.
b. the same.
c. ten times as much.
d. 100 times as much.
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
5. A big fish swims upon and swallows a small
fish at rest. After lunch, the big fish has less
a. speed.
b. momentum.
c. both of these
d. none of these
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
6. A falling firecracker bursts into two pieces.
Compared with the momentum of the
firecracker when it bursts, the two pieces
a. combined have the same momentum.
b. each have half as much momentum.
c. have more momentum.
d. may or may not have more momentum.
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
1. When the speed of an object is doubled, its
momentum
a. remains unchanged in accord with the
conservation of momentum.
b. doubles.
c. quadruples.
d. decreases.

Answer: B
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
2. The impulse-momentum relationship is a
direct result of Newton’s
a. first law.
b. second law.
c. third law.
d. law of gravity.

Answer: B
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
3. When a falling object bounces, as it hits the
ground its change in momentum and the
impulse on it is
a. less than for stopping.
b. greater than for stopping.
c. the same as it is for stopping.
d. the same as it was when dropped.

Answer: B
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
4. On roller blades you horizontally toss a ball
away from you. The mass of the ball is one
tenth your mass. Compared with the speed
you give to the ball, your recoil speed will
ideally be
a. one tenth as much.
b. the same.
c. ten times as much.
d. 100 times as much.
Answer: A
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
5. A big fish swims upon and swallows a small
fish at rest. After lunch, the big fish has less
a. speed.
b. momentum.
c. both of these
d. none of these

Answer: A
8 Momentum

Assessment Questions
6. A falling firecracker bursts into two pieces.
Compared with the momentum of the
firecracker when it bursts, the two pieces
a. combined have the same momentum.
b. each have half as much momentum.
c. have more momentum.
d. may or may not have more momentum.

Answer: A
8 Momentum

The diagram below represents two masses

before and after they collide. Before the collision,
mass mA is moving to the right with speed v, and
mass mB is at rest. Upon collision, the two
masses stick together. Derive an expression for
the velocity of the masses after collision.
8 Momentum

A bullet of mass m equal to 10.0 g, moving at

150 m/s strikes a 5.0 -kg wooden block resting
on a frictionless horizontal surface as shown
below. What is the velocity of the bullet-block
system after the bullet embeds itself in the
block?
8 Momentum
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A 100-g ball moving at 3.0 m/s strikes a wall

perpendicularly and rebounds elastically at the
same speed. What is the value of the impulse
given to the wall?
8 Momentum
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A force of 15.0 N applied to an object produces

a change in velocity of 20 m/s in 0.80 s. What
is the mass of the object?
Variable/Quantity Column A >, <, or = Column B
8 Momentum
Example: Momentum of the rifle Momentum of the bullet after
Rifle-bullet system after firing = firing

1. Cannon-cannon Acceleration of the Acceleration of the bullet

ball system rifle after firing after firing

2. Impact force Collision with a brick Collision with a haystack

wall

3. Impact force Throwing egg into a Throwing egg at the wall

sagging sheet

4. Change in A flower pot falls and A flower pot falls and

momentum breaks on the floor bounces on the floor

5. Head-on collision Force of the car on the Force of the bicycle on the
between a car and a bicycle car
bicycle
8 Momentum Momentum
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR

A moving object has

A. momentum.
B. energy.
C. speed.
D. All of the above.
8 Momentum Momentum
CHECK YOUR ANSWER

A moving object has

A. momentum.
B. energy.
C. speed.
D. All of the above.
8 Momentum Momentum
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR

When the speed of an object is doubled, its

momentum

A. remains unchanged in accord with the

conservation of momentum.
B. doubles.
C. quadruples.
D. decreases.
8 Momentum Momentum
CHECK YOUR ANSWER

When the speed of an object is doubled, its

momentum

A. remains unchanged in accord with the

conservation of momentum.
B. doubles.
C. quadruples.
D. decreases.
8 Momentum

Impulse
• Product of force and time (force  time)
• In equation form: Impulse = Ft
Example:
• A brief force applied over a short time interval
produces a smaller change in momentum
than the same force applied over a longer
time interval.
or
• If you push with the same force for twice the
time, you impart twice the impulse and
produce twice the change in momentum.
8 Momentum

Impulse Changes Momentum

The greater the impulse exerted on something,
the greater the change in momentum.
• In equation form: Ft = (mv)
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR

When the force that produces an impulse

acts for twice as much time, the impulse is
A. not changed.
B. doubled.
C. quadrupled.
D. halved.
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR ANSWER

When the force that produces an impulse

acts for twice as much time, the impulse is

A. not changed.
B. doubled.
C. quadrupled.
D. halved.
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR

A cannonball shot from a cannon with a long

barrel will emerge with greater speed because
the cannonball receives a greater

A. average force.
B. impulse.
C. Both of the above.
D. None of the above.
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR ANSWER

A cannonball shot from a cannon with a long

barrel will emerge with greater speed
because the cannonball receives a greater
A. average force.
B. impulse.
C. Both of the above.
D. None of the above.
8 Momentum

Explanation:
The average force on the cannonball will be
the same for a short- or long-barreled
cannon. The longer barrel provides for a
longer time for the force to act, and
therefore, a greater impulse. (The long
barrel also provides a longer distance for
the force to act, providing greater work and
greater kinetic energy to the cannonball.)
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR

A fast-moving car hitting a haystack or a

cement wall produces vastly different results.
1. Do both experience the same change in
momentum?
2. Do both experience the same impulse?
3. Do both experience the same force?
A. Yes for all three
B. Yes for 1 and 2
C. No for all three
D. No for 1 and 2
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR ANSWER

A fast-moving car hitting a haystack or

hitting a cement wall produces vastly
different results.
1. Do both experience the same change in
momentum?
2. Do both experience the same impulse?
3. Do both experience the same force?
A. Yes for all three
B. Yes for 1 and 2
C. No for all three
D. No for 1 and 2
E.
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR

When a dish falls, will the change in

momentum be less if it lands on a carpet than if
it lands on a hard floor? (Careful!)

A. No, both are the same.

B. Yes, less if it lands on the carpet.
C. No, less if it lands on a hard floor.
D. No, more if it lands on a hard floor.
8 Momentum Impulse Changes Momentum
CHECK YOUR ANSWER

When a dish falls, will the change in

momentum be less if it lands on a carpet than
if it lands on a hard floor? (Careful!)
A. No, both are the same.
B. Yes, less if it lands on the carpet.
C. No, less if it lands on a hard floor.
D. No, more if it lands on a hard floor.