Momentum is a quantity possessed by masses in motion .

Momentum, p = mass, m x velocity, v

Vector quantity
Unit >> kg m/s
 Momentum and acceleration

Initial momentum of object, p0 = mu

Final momentum of object, pf = mv

increase of momentum = mv-mu

F = ma = m(v-u)/t = mv-mu/t

Impulse = mv- mu = Ft
(a) F = 30MN = 30 x 106 N
t = 2.5 min = 2.5x60 s
mv-mu = ?
mv-mu = Ft
(b) M = 3000 tonnes = 1000 kg x 3000 = 3 x 106

u=0
mv-mu =
 Momentum change and safety
Cars are now designed with various safety features that increase the time over
which the car’s momentum changes in an accident

mv- mu = Ft

The equation shows us that if we stop over a long

period of time, the force to slow us is smaller. This
way we get hurt less.

F = mv- mu/t
The period of deceleration time must be large to reduce the force of damage
Seat belt and crumple zone
The seat belt allows you to take advantage of the time it takes the
crumple zone to buckle

Just ideal

Crumple zones are designed to absorb and

redistribute the force of a collision and so
increase the time over which the car’s
momentum changes in an accident
 Airbag

When the driver in a crashing

car, it is subject to a large
deceleration. This large
deceleration means that the
large forces result in damage.

The air bag is rapidly inflated and it deflates slowly so the time for the
driver to come to a halt is extended. Therefore the forces acting on the
driver during the deceleration, are reduced and the driver can be protected
from more serious injury.
 Explosion

Conservation of momentum
( mA + mB ) v = mAv’A + mBvB’

Inelastic collision

Conservation of momentum
mA vA + mB vB = (mA + mB)v’

elastic collision

Conservation of momentum
mA vA + mB vB = mAv’A + mBvB’
 stationary

There are no external forces act on the pallet and track!

increase in momentum (impulse) = F x t = 10000N x 60s so the
increase in momentum is 600000 kg m/ s

mv- mu = F x t
m(v- u) = F x t
increase in momentum = mass x increase in velocity
increase in velocity = 600 000 kg m/s / 1200 kg = 500m/s

The new velocity = 2000 + 500 = 2500 m/s

When the driver in a crashing car, it is subject to a large deceleration.
This large deceleration means that the large forces result in damage.

The air bag is rapidly inflated and it deflates slowly so the time for
the driver to come to a halt is extended. Therefore the forces acting
on the driver during the deceleration, are reduced and the driver can
be protected from more serious injury.