Objectives:

1. To measure the motion of a cart as it collides with a bumper using the motion sensor.
2. To measure the cart’s change in momentum and compare it to the impulse it receives.
3. To study the relationship between impulse and momentum.

Discussion of Related Physics Concept:

Momentum refers to the quantity of motion an object has. If an object is in motion,

then it has momentum. Momentum depends largely upon the mass and the velocity of an
object given in the equation 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 × 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 but commonly written as
𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣. In order to change a motion of an object, force must be applied for a period of time.
This gives us an equation derived from Newton’s Second Law of Motion (𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎). The quantity
of this equation is known as impulse–the change of momentum in an object.
𝑣 𝑣
From Newton’s Second Law, 𝐹 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝑎 can be expressed as 𝐹 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝑡 , wherein 𝑎 = 𝑡 .
If both sides of the equation are multiplied by the quantity 𝑡, a new equation results. 𝐹 ∙ 𝑡 =
𝑚 ∙ ∆𝑉. In physics, the quantity Force x Time is known as the Impulse. But since the quantity
Mass x Velocity is the momentum, the quantity Mass x Change in Velocity must be the Change
in Momentum. The equation then states that Impulse = Change in Momentum.

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/momentum/Lesson-1/Momentum-and-Impulse-
Connection

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/momentum/u4l1a.cfm