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TOPIC 1.2 FORCES AND MOMENTUM

Calculations –
A. Basic calculations

Equations Definition
Newton’s Second Law, which
𝑭 = 𝒎𝒂 states force is the product of
mass and acceleration. 𝐹 − 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝒑 = 𝒎𝒗 𝑚 − 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝒐𝒓 Momentum is the product of 𝑣𝑜 /𝑣𝑓 − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙/𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
∆𝒑 = 𝒎∆𝒗 mass and velocity. 𝑝𝑜 /𝑝𝑓 − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙/𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚
= 𝒎(𝒗𝒇 − 𝒗𝒐 )
𝑡 − 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
∆𝒑
𝑭= Newton’s Second Law expressed
∆𝒕
𝒑𝒇 − 𝒑𝒐 as rate of change of momentum.
=
𝒕
*Remember to take into consideration the direction of velocity/ force when doing calculations (It
will also be easier to calculate what you need by drawing vector diagrams similar to the ones for
projectile motion).

Theoretical understanding –
A. The Law of Conservation of Momentum: Total initial momentum is equal to total final
momentum in an isolated system (where no external forces act on the system).

This is proven by;

Newton’s Third Law of Motion (Every force will result in an equal, but opposite reaction) which is
shown by,

𝐹𝑎 = −𝐹𝑏

Then, the two forces can be substituted with Newton’s Second Law of Motion – expressed in rate of
change of momentum,

∆𝑝𝑎 ∆𝑝𝑏
=
∆𝑡𝑎 ∆𝑡𝑏

And finally, rearranging the equation.

𝑚𝑎 (𝑣𝑎𝑓 − 𝑣𝑎𝑜 ) 𝑚𝑏 (𝑣𝑏𝑓 − 𝑣𝑏𝑜 )

= −( )
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡
𝑚𝑎 𝑣𝑎𝑓 − 𝑚𝑎 𝑣𝑎𝑜 = −𝑚𝑏 𝑣𝑏𝑓 + 𝑚𝑏 𝑣𝑏𝑜

𝑚𝑎 𝑣𝑎𝑜 + 𝑚𝑏 𝑣𝑏𝑜 = 𝑚𝑎 𝑣𝑎𝑓 + 𝑚𝑏 𝑣𝑏𝑓

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B. Multi-image representations

#1 Consider the mass of the objects, this will be

proportional to the length of arrow drawn
#2 Determine the initial and final momentum of
objects
#3 Join the arrows of the initial momentums head-
to-tail (Do the same for the final momentum)
#4 Draw a resolution vector for both initial and final
momentum
* Remember to label all vector arrows!

C. Application for The Law of Conservation of Momentum

#1 Propulsion of rockets
- The rocket and gas/ ionized particles in the rocket are in an
isolated system
- As the gas/ ionized particles are ejected, a large velocity and
momentum is gained at the back of the rocket which is in the
opposite direction of the ejection
- According to the law of conservation of momentum, the rocket
will then also gain a momentum and velocity that is equal but
opposite to the ejected gas/ ionized particles
#2 Comparing change of momentum of photons on black and silver solar sails

- Photon is absorbed,
and photon loses all
- Photon is reflected
its momentum to
∴ 𝒑𝒇 = 𝒑𝒐
the spacecraft
∴ 𝒑𝒇 = 𝟎 𝒌𝒈𝒎𝒔−𝟏

∆𝒑 = 𝒑𝒇 − 𝒑𝒐
∆𝒑 = 𝟎 − 𝒑𝒐 ∆𝑝 = 𝑝𝑓 − (−𝑝𝑜 )
∆𝒑 = −𝒑𝒐 ∆𝒑 = 𝟐𝒑𝒐
- The change in momentum is equal to initial - The change in momentum is double the
momentum initial momentum
- This means the force and acceleration
experienced is also doubled

*Be very careful about adding or subtracting the momentum components.

When finding;
change in momentum – subtract,
total initial/ final momentum – use addition.

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