KINETICS OF A PARTICLE: IMPULSE AND MOMENTUM

Principle of linear impulse and momentum

Using kinematics, the equation of motion for a particle of mass m can be written
as,

The above equation is referred to as the principle of linear impulse and

momentum. It provides a direct means of obtaining the particle’s final velocity V2
after a specified time period when the particle’s initial velocity is known and the
forces acting on the particle are either constant or can be expressed as functions
of time.
Linear momentum
Each of the two vectors on the right-hand side in equation above is referred to as
the particle’s linear momentum, L=mv.
Since m is a positive scalar, the linear-momentum vector has the same direction
as v, and its magnitude mv has units of mass times velocity, e.g. kg.m/s.

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The integral 𝑰 = ∫ 𝑭dt is referred to as the linear impulse. This term is a vector
quantity which measures the effect of a force during the time the force acts. Since
time is a positive scalar, the impulse acts in the same direction as the force, and
its magnitude has units of force times time, e.g. N.s.
If the force is expressed as a function of time, the impulse can be determined by
direct evaluation of the integral. In particular, but if the force is constant in both
magnitude and direction, the resulting impulse becomes
𝒕𝟐
𝑰 = ∫ 𝑭𝒄 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑭𝐶 (𝑡2 − 𝑡1) … … … … … … … … . . (1)
𝒕𝟏

The magnitude of the impulse can be shown graphically as indicated below by the
shaded area under the curve.

The above equation(1) can also be written as

𝑡2

𝑚𝒗1 + ∑ 𝑭 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑚𝒗2 … … … … … … … … . . (2)

𝑡1

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If each of the vectors in eqn.(2) is resolved into its x,y,z components, we can write
the following three scalar equations of linear impulse and momentum.

……………(3)

Example 1
The 100kg crate shown in the diagram below is originally at rest on the smooth
horizontal surface. If a towing force of 200N, acting at angle of 450, is applied for
10s, determine the final velocity and the normal force which the surface exerts on
the crate during this time interval.

SOLUTION
Step 1: Free body diagram

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Step 2: Application of the principle of impulse and momentum
Using eqn.(3)

Example 2
In the diagram below, blocks A and B have masses 3kg and 5kg respectively. If the
system is released from rest, determine the velocity of block B in 6s. Neglect the
mass of the pulleys and cord.

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SOLUTION
Step 1: Free body diagram

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NOTE: From the above FBDs
1) The tension forces are constant, because the weight are constant.
2) The mass of pulleys is neglected, therefore the cord tension 𝑇𝐴 = 2𝑇𝐵
3) The blocks are both assumed to be moving downward in the positive
coordinate directions, SA and SB

Step 2: Applying the principle of impulse and momentum

From the above equations, the number of unknowns is more than the number of
equations. Hence, the next step is either to generate more equation or relate the
unknowns.
To relate VA to VB, a horizontal datum is established through the fixed point at C.
Hence, the coordinate SA and SB are related to the constant length l of the vertical
segment of the cord.

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Simplifying, we have,

The principle of linear impulse and momentum for a system of particles is

obtained from the equation of motion applied to all the particles in the system,
i.e.,
𝑑𝒗𝑖
∑ 𝑭𝑖 = ∑ 𝑚 𝑖 … … … . (4)
𝑑𝑡
The term on the left side represents only the sum of the external forces acting on
the particles.

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Multiplying both sides of eqn(4) by dt and integrating between the limits t= t1, vi =
(vi)1 and t = t2, vi = (vi)2 yields,
𝑡2

∑ 𝑚𝑖 (𝒗𝑖 )1 + ∑ 𝑭𝑖 𝑑𝑡 = ∑ 𝑚𝑖 (𝒗𝑖 )2 … … … … . . (5)

𝑡1

Note, the location of the mass center G of the system can be determined from

𝑚𝒓𝐺 = ∑ 𝑚𝑖 𝒓𝑖 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 = ∑ 𝑚𝑖 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠

Taking the time derivative, we have

Substituting in eqn.(5) we have

When the sum of the external impulses acting on a system of particles is zero,
eqn.(5) reduces to a simplified form, namely,
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The equation above is referred to as the conservation of linear momentum. The
conservation of linear momentum is usually applied when particles collide.
During application, the forces identified from its free body diagram which create
either external or internal impulses determine the direction(s) the linear
momentum is conserved.
Forces which are very large and act for a very short period of time produce a
significant change in momentum and are called impulsive forces. E.g. forces due
to an explosion or the striking of one body against another.
Examples of non-impulsive forces include the weight of a body, the force
imparted by a slightly deformed spring having a relatively small stiffness.
Example 3
In the diagram below, a 15Mg boxcar A is coasting at 1.5m/s on the horizontal
track when it encounters a 12Mg tank car B coasting at 0.75m/s toward it. If the
cars collide and couple together, determine
(a) The speed of both cars just after the coupling
(b) The average force between them if the coupling takes place in 0.8s.

SOLUTION TO PART A
Step 1: Free body diagram

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NOTE
1) Both cars are coupled together after collision, hence they will be treated as
a single car.
2) It is assumed that both cars when couple together they moved in the x-
direction taken as the positive direction.
Step 2: Applying the principle of conservation of momentum (Force of collision)

SOLUTION TO PART B
Step 3: Free body diagram

Step 4: Applying the principle of impulse and momentum

NOTE
Let the average coupling force be Favg

This implies ∫ 𝐹 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑭∆𝒕

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Therefore, we have

Example 4
The bumper cars A and B in the diagram below have mass of 150kg each and are
coasting with the velocities indicated in the diagram before they freely collide
head on. If no energy is lost during the collision. Determine their velocities after
collision.

Solution
Step 1: Free body diagram

Step 2: Applying the principle of conservation of momentum

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To determine the velocities
Note
Since there was no lost energy, we apply the principle of conservation of energy.

Simplifying, we have

Hence,

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Impact occurs when two bodies collide with each other during a very short period
of time, causing relatively large (impulsive) forces to be exerted between the
bodies. E.g. the striking of a hammer on a nail or the gulf club on a ball etc.
We have two types of impact. Central Impact which occurs when the direction of
motion of the mass centers of the two colliding particles is along a line passing
through the mass centers of the particles. This is called the line of Impact and its
perpendicular to the plane of contact. The second impact is the oblique impact,
this occurs when the motion of one or both of the particles makes an angle with
the line of impact.

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Steps required in analyzing central impacts
1) It is assumed before impact, the particles in motion possess initial
momentum.
2) During collision, the particles are assumed to be deformable or nonrigid.
This implies, the particles will undergo a period of deformation during
which they exert equal but opposite deformation impulse ∫ 𝑷 𝒅𝒕 on each
other.
3) Only at the instant of maximum deformation will both particles move with
common velocity v because their relative motion is zero.
4) A period of restitution will occur when the particles are expected to either
return to their original shape or are permanently deformed.
5) Hence, an equal but opposite restitution impulse ∫ 𝑹 𝒅𝒕 will push the
particles apart from one another. NOTE: it is expected that deformative
impulsive be greater than the restitution.
6) Just after separation, the particles will have different final momentum.

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Assumptions
1) In solving problems, it is assumed that the initial velocities are known.
2) The momentum of the system of particles is conserved. This implies

3) To obtain a second equation to solve for the final velocities, we apply the
principle of impulse and momentum to each particle. E.g.

For the
deformation stage
of particle A

For the restitution

stage of Particle A

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In a similar manner, we can establish e by considering particle B,

e is equal to the ratio of the relative velocity of the particle’s separation just
after impact,(𝑉𝐵 )2 − (𝑉𝐴 )2 to the the relative velocity of the particle
approach just before impact, (𝑉𝐴 )1 − (𝑉𝐵 )1 . In general, e has a value
between zero and one

OBLIQUE IMPACT
Consider the diagram below

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When oblique impact occurs between two smooth particles, the particles move
away from each other with velocities having unknown directions and unknown
magnitudes.
Steps required in analyzing oblique impacts
1) Assume the y-axis as the plane of contact and the x-axis as the line of
action. Hence, the forces of deformation and restitution act only in the x
direction.
2) Therefore, the momentum of the system is conserved along the line of
impact. This implies ∑ 𝑚 (𝑣𝑥 )1 = ∑ 𝑚 (𝑣𝑥 )2
3) The y axis is perpendicular to the line of impact. Hence, no impulse act on
particle A and /or B in this direction. This implies
(𝑣𝐴𝑦 ) = (𝑣𝐴𝑦 ) (𝑣𝐵𝑦 ) = (𝑣𝐵𝑦 )
1 2 1 2
Example 5
In the diagram below, ball B has a mass of 1.5kg and is suspended from the ceiling
by a 1m long elastic cord. If the cord is stretched downward 0.25m and the ball is
released from rest, determine how far the cord stretches after the ball rebounds
from the ceiling. The stiffness of the cord is k= 800N/m, and the coefficient of
restitution between the ball and ceiling is e = 0.8. The ball makes a central impact
with the ceiling.

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SOLUTION
This is a case of impact, hence we apply the conservation of energy principle
𝑇𝑂 + 𝑉𝑂 = 𝑇1 + 𝑉1
1 1 1
Where 𝑇𝑂 = 𝑚(𝑉𝐵 )20 𝑉𝑂 = −𝑊𝐵 𝑦𝑜 + + 𝑘𝑠 2 𝑇1 = 𝑚(𝑉𝐵 )12 𝑉1 = 0
2 2 2

𝑁𝑂𝑇𝐸: 𝑦𝑜 = (1 + 0.25 = 1.25𝑚)

Hence, we have

(𝑉𝐵 )1 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔.

Next we determine the velocity of the ball after impact.

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Using the coefficient of restitution, we have

Where
The velocity of the ceiling before and after impact are assume to be zero because
the ceiling is at rest
Hence, (𝑉𝐴 )1 = (𝑉𝐴 )2 = 0

Finally, we determine the extend the cord stretches

Applying the conservation of energy principle

1 1 1
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑇2 = 𝑚(𝑉𝐵 )22 𝑉3 = −𝑊𝐵 𝑦3 + 𝑘𝑠32 𝑇3 = 𝑚(𝑉𝐵 )23 𝑉2 = 0
2 2 2

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Example 6
In the diagram below disks A and B have mass of 1kg and 2kg respectively collide
with velocities as indicated. If the coefficient of restitution for the disk is e=0.75.
Determine the x and y components of the final velocity of each disk just after
collision.

SOLUTION
This question is an example of oblique impact; hence, we need to determine the
line of impact along both X and Y axes.

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NOTE
1) The four unknown velocity components after collision are assumed to act in
the positive directions
2) The line of impact occurs in the x-direction, hence the conservation of
momentum principle for both disks will be considered in this direction.

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