Impulse and Momentum

Concepts I Should Know:

• Newton’s second law expressed in terms of • Conservation of linear momentum
rate of change of momentum • Elastic collisions, inelastic collisions and
• Impulse and force–time graphs explosions

Things I Should Be Able To Do:

• Apply conservation of momentum in simple isolated systems including (but not limited to) collisions,
explosions, or water jets
• Use Newton’s second law quantitatively and qualitatively in cases where mass is not constant
• Sketch and interpret force–time graphs
• Determine impulse in various contexts including (but not limited to) car safety and sports
• Qualitatively and quantitatively compare situations involving elastic collisions, inelastic collisions and
explosion

Definitions to Know:

Linear Momentum- A vector quantity of the product of mass times velocity. p = mv. Unit: kg m s-1
Impulse- A vector quantity of the product of a force times the time the force is exerted on the
object. Impulse produces a change in momentum. FΔt = Δp. Unit: kg m s-1
Conservation of
Linear Momentum- If the total external force acting on a system is zero, the momentum of the system
remains constant.
Elastic Collision- A collision in which no mechanical energy (Ep + Ek) is transferred to another form.
Inelastic Collision- A collision in which mechanical energy (Ep + Ek) is transferred to another form of
energy. In a totally inelastic collision, the colliding objects stick together.

I. Linear Momentum
A. Momentum is a vector quantity that is dependent upon mass and velocity
B. p = mv
where p represents momentum, m is mass, and v stands for velocity
C. Units are kg m s-1
D. The momentum vector will point in the same direction as the velocity vector
II. Impulse
A. As shown, the 2nd law of motion can be written in terms of momentum.
B. Impulse = Ft = mv

C. The term Ft is called the impulse.

D. Impulse -momentum theorem – The impulse applied to an object is equal to the change in momentum of
the object.
E. A net force applied during some duration of time produces a change in momentum. This makes sense
because a net force will cause an acceleration. Acceleration by definition produces a change in velocity. If
the velocity has changed, the momentum must also change if the mass of the object remains constant.
F. Notice that with Ft the units are Ns which are equivalent to kgm/s.

III. Relationship Between Change in Velocity, Force, and Impact Time

A. Students commonly confuse impulse acting on the object with the force acting on the object.
B. It is important to remember that impulse is the change in momentum of an object and there are many
variables at play in the relation Ft = mv.
C. For a situation with a given change in momentum (an object stopping during a collision for example), impact
time and force are inversely proportional to each other.
1. If an object is stopped in a very short amount of time, more force is required to stop the object.
2. If an object is stopped in a long amount of time, less force is required to stop an object.
3. This is why air bags are effective safety features in cars.
4. This understanding also explains why you bend your knees when you land from a jump.
D. For a situation where force is constant, impact time and change in velocity are proportional to each other.
1. The longer the force is applied, the greater the change in velocity of the object.
2. This explains why “follow through” in sports produces faster projectiles.

Conceptual Question # 1
Why is “follow through” important in sports like golf, field hockey, tennis, etc.?

Sample Problem # 1
A 0.50 kg ball is moving horizontally with a velocity of 10.0 m s-1. It hits a wall, changing its velocity to -10.0 m s-1.
a. What is the change in horizontal momentum of the ball?

b. What impulse did the wall deliver to the ball?

c. If the wall and ball were in contact for 5.0 x 10-4 s, what was the average force exerted on the ball?

d. Find the acceleration of the ball while it is in contact with the wall.

Conceptual Question #2
Can a system of two objects have a total kinetic energy that is non zero but have a total momentum that is zero?

Conceptual Question #3
A baseball and a water balloon have the same mass, 0.1 kg. Each object is thrown at some poor sap. The balloon explodes
upon contact and comes to rest. The baseball strikes the person and bounces off in the opposite direction. Why is the
baseball so much more painful?
IV. Force vs Time Graphs
A. The area under the curve of a force vs. time graph will provide the impulse.
B. Knowing that impulse equals the change in momentum, the area under the curve of a force time graph can
allow one to determine the final velocity of an object even when the force is not constant.

Sample Problem #3
A 2.0 kg object, moving with an initial velocity of -3.0 m/s, is subjected to the force time
graph shown to the right.
a. Calculate the impulse provided to the object.

b. Calculate the change in velocity of the object.

c. Determine the velocity of the object at 5.0 s.

IV. Conservation of Linear Momentum

A. Newton’s 3rd law states when two objects collide, each object exerts an equal but opposite force on the
other.
B. Therefore, the same magnitude of force is applied to each object for the same amount time if we assume
that we have a closed isolated system (ignore friction).
C. Thus, each object receives the same magnitude of impulse (same force for same time, FΔt)
D. If each object has the same impulse, it must imply that the same change in momentum (p) will occur in
each object
E. The momentum that is lost by one or more objects must equal the momentum gained by others.
F. Law of Conservation of Linear Momentum states the total linear momentum of any closed, isolated system
(collection of objects being studied) does not change.
G. An isolated system is when Fexternal = 0
H. Internal force – forces that the objects within the system exert on each other.
External force – forces exerted on the objects that are not a direct result of the objects within the system
(Gravity, Friction, Air Resistance)
I. pi = p f

Sample Problem #3
A 0.30 kg cream pie is thrown with a speed of 20.0 m s-1. The pie hits and sticks
to Mr. Montelone who is initially moving towards the pie with a velocity of 2.50
m/s. If Mr. Montelone has a mass of 65 kg, with what velocity does he move
after being hit by the pie? Ignore friction.
Sample Problem #4
Mr. Willard rolls a 1.50 kg bowling ball with an initial velocity of 12.0 m/s. The ball
strikes the 0.50 kg 10 pin head- on allowing Mr. Willard to pick up the spare! After the
impact the velocity of the ball has been reduced to 7.6 m/s. What is the speed of the
pin after impact? Assume the pin was initially at rest and the two objects separate
after the collision.

Conceptual Question #4
In movies, Superman hovers stationary in midair, grabs Lex Luther by the neck and throws him forward. After the toss,
Superman remains in the same spot. Why is this physically incorrect?

V. Elastic and Inelastic Collisions and the Conservation of Mechanical Energy

A. Elastic Collisions
1. A collision is elastic, if and only if, the kinetic energy of the system is conserved during the collision.
2. Momentum will be conserved.
3. Elastic collisions are ideal. In real collisions, some mechanical energy is invariably transferred to
heat or some other form of energy during collisions.
4. During elastic collisions, the objects will fly apart and the velocities of particles must satisfy the
relation |𝑣1𝑓 − 𝑣2𝑓 | = |𝑣2𝑓 − 𝑣2𝑖 |
B. Inelastic Collisions
1. Momentum is still conserved in an inelastic collision.
2. In inelastic collisions, some of the kinetic energy is changed into some other type of non-
mechanical energy
3. During inelastic collisions, the objects may stick together or fly apart. If they do fly apart, the
individual velocities must satisfy the condition that the final KE is less than the initial KE.
4. In a completely inelastic collision, the objects stick together and move off as one mass.

Sample Problem #5
The townsfolk of Dodge Ball City are engaged in the game that gave the town its
name. A ball is moving with an initial speed of 18 m/s and strikes a person, mass
50.0 kg. The person was initially at rest when the 1.0 kg ball strikes her. The ball and
the woman undergo an elastic collision. What is the velocity of each after impact?

(Just write equations needed to solve- don’t actually solve!)

Sample Problem #6
A ballistic pendulum measures the speed of projectiles. The block of wood (the pendulum bob) has a mass of 2.500 kg. A
bullet, mass 0.020 kg, is fired at the block. After the collision, the bullet becomes embedded in the block, and they both
swing to a height of 18 cm above the initial position. Find the initial velocity of the bullet.

Determine what % of the original kinetic energy is transferred to potential.

VI. Collisions in Two Dimensions

A. Because of perpendicular independence, the x and y components of momentum are conserved separately.
B. pix = pfx ; piy = pfy

Sample Problem #7
Two balls covered in Velcro collide in a collision and stick together. Ball 1 – mass 0.20 kg, vo = 1.00 m/s at 90.0. Ball 2 –
mass 0.20 kg, vo = 0.50 m/s at 0.0. Find the velocity of the balls after impact.

v = 1.00 m/s

v = 0.50 m/s

VII. Center of Mass and Explosions

A. Center of Mass (aka center of gravity) – point where a
body’s (or system’s ) weight can be considered to be
concentrated.
B. To find the center of mass of a system.
xcm = mixi/mi ycm = miyi/mi
C. Motion of the center of mass is not altered by internal
forces that result from a collision/explosion.
D. The total momentum of all particles after an explosion
matches the momentum before.

Key Ideas In Chapter

• The 2nd law of motion (ΣF = Δp/Δt) and the third law of motion (po = pf) can be applied to explain concepts
involving momentum
• An impulse (force x time) is needed to change momentum
• The impulse is the same as the change in momentum
• Momentum is conserved in all types of collisions (if system is defined in an all encompassing way)
• Energy is conserved in all types of collisions
• Mechanical energy is only conserved in elastic collisions
Sample Multiple Choice
1. A rocket is fired vertically. At its highest point, it explodes. Which one of the following describes what happens to its
total momentum and total kinetic energy as a result of the explosion?
Total momentum Total kinetic energy
A. Unchanged increased
B. Unchanged unchanged
C. Increased increased
D. Increased unchanged

2. A constant force of F is applied to a ball of mass, m, for a time of t. During the time t, the ball changes it speed from
v1 to v2. What is the rate at which the ball changes its momentum?
F
a. m(v2 + v1) b . m(v2 – v1) c. d. F
t
3. Two objects of masses m1 and m2 are moving towards each other along the same straight line with speeds v1 and v2
as shown.

v1 v2

The objects collide. Which of the following gives the total change in momentum of the system as a result of the
collision?
a. m1v1 + m2v2 b. 0 c. m2v2 –m1v1 d. m1v1 – m2v2

4. Which of the following quantities are conserved in an inelastic collision between two bodies?
Total linear momentum of the bodies Total kinetic energy of the bodies
A. Yes yes
B. Yes no
C. No yes
D. No no

Serway Problem Set

Section 6.1 3,5, 8, 11, 15, 17
Section 6.2 21, 25
Additional 40, 79

Oxford Problem Set p.89

10, 11, 12, 13
Chapter 6/7 – Work, Power and Momentum Calculus Addendum

I. Work
A. Work is the integral of force with respect to displacement
B. W = ∫ 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒅s
C. Graphical analysis: Work will be the area under the curve on a force displacement graph

II. Power
A. Power is the rate at which work is done (or energy is transferred) with respect to time.
𝑑𝑬
B. P =
𝑑𝑡
C. Graphical analysis: Power will be the instantaneous slope of a work (energy) time graph.

III. Momentum and Impulse

A. Force can be expressed as the rate of change of momentum with respect to time
𝑑𝒑
B. F =
𝑑𝑡
C. Conversely, integrating force with respect to time will provide the change in momentum (called impulse)
D. Impulse = J = ∫ 𝑭𝒅 𝒕
E. Graphical analysis: Force will be the instantaneous slope of a momentum time graph.
F. Graphical analysis: Impulse will be the area under the curve for a force time graph