PHYS 001C PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS

Topic: MOMENTUM, IMPULSE and COLLISION

Intended Learning Outcomes:
1. Define and explain the concept of momentum and impulse.
2. Discuss how momentum is conserved.
3. Illustrate momentum conservation in elastic and inelastic collision.
4. Solve worded problems involving momentum, impulse and collision.

MOMENTUM  For two interacting particles, the forces between them are equal
and opposite.
 Linear Momentum of a particle is defined to be the product of the
mass and velocity of the particle: 𝑑𝑝 𝑑𝑝
( 𝑑𝑡 ) = − ( 𝑑𝑡 )
⃗ ≡ 𝒎𝒗
𝒑 ⃗ 1 2
𝑑𝑝 𝑑𝑝
where : 𝑝 = momentum vector ( ) +( ) =0
𝑑𝑡 1 𝑑𝑡 2
m = mass (p1f – p1i)+ (p2f – p2i) = 0
𝑣 = velocity vector p1f + p2f = p1i+ p2i
 Momentum is a vector quantity p1i + p2i = p1f+ p2f
 Momentum and velocity vectors point in the same direction. m1 v1i + m2v2i =m1 v1f + m2v2f
 SI unit for momentum: kg·m/s
 Momentum is a conserved quantity (this will be proven later).
Sample Problem 2
 A net force is required to change a body’s momentum.
 Momentum is directly proportional to both mass and speed.
 Something big and slow could have the same momentum as
something small and fast.

Sample Problem 1

Non-Isolated System
If a system is not isolated, then the total system momentum is not
conserved.
𝑑𝑝
According to Newton's second law, force is the time rate of change of the ∑𝐹 =
𝑑𝑡
momentum 𝑑𝑝 = ∑ 𝐹 𝑑𝑡
𝑡𝑓
∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 𝑝𝑓 − ⃗⃗𝑝⃗𝑖 = ∫ ∑ 𝐹 𝑑𝑡
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑡𝑖
𝑑𝑣 𝑡𝑓
∑𝐹 = 𝑚 ∆𝑝 = ∫ ∑ 𝐹 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡
𝑡𝑖
𝑑𝑚𝑣
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
∑𝐹 =
𝑑𝑡
𝐝𝐩⃗ IMPULSE
∑𝐅 =
𝐝𝐭 ♥ Impulse equals the change in momentum
𝑡𝑓
Isolated System 𝐼 = ∆𝑝 = ∫ ∑ 𝐹 𝑑𝑡
A system is a collection of two or more objects. An isolated system is a 𝑡𝑖
system that is free from the influence of a net external force that alters 𝑰 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒑𝒇 − ⃗⃗⃗
𝒑𝒊
the momentum of the system. For such, total system momentum is
conserved.
Conservation of Momentum
 is a fundamental law of physics which states that the
momentum of a system is constant if there are no external
forces acting on the system.

TIP QC - Math and Physics Department Phys 001C (Physics for Engineers) Momentum, Impulse and Collision Charo M. Consolacion
Sample Problem 3 Sample Problem 5
A 1800 kg car stopped at a traffic light is struck from the rear by a 900 kg
car, and the two become entangled. If the smaller car was traveling with
a speed of 20 m/s before this inelastic collision, what is the common
velocity of the two cars as they move together after the collision?

Solution:

Solution:

Collision in Two Dimensions:

m1 v1ix + m2v2ix =m1 v1fx + m2v2fx
m1 v1iy + m2v2iy =m1 v1fy + m2v2fy

Sample Problem 5
COLLISION A 1,500-kg car traveling east with a speed of 25.0 m/s collides at an
☼ represents an event during which two particles come close to each intersection with a 2,500-kg van traveling north at a speed of 20.0 m/s.
other and interact by means of forces. Find the direction and magnitude of the velocity of the wreckage after
the collision, assuming that the vehicles undergo a perfectly inelastic
Elastic Inelastic Perfectly collision (that is, they stick together).
Collision Collision Inelastic
Collision
Total kinetic The same Different Different
energy of the
system before
and after
collision
Total The same The same The same
momentum of
the system
before and
after collision
Examples Collision Collision of Collision of
between rubber ball meteorite and
atomic and and wall Earth
subatomic
particles
Diagram

Formula m1 v1i + m2v2i

=(m1 + m2)vf
v1i-v2i=-(v1f-v2f)

Sample Problem 4

TIP QC - Math and Physics Department Phys 001C (Physics for Engineers) Momentum, Impulse and Collision Charo M. Consolacion