Linear Momentum AP Physics
Momentum Momentum = mass x velocity Momentum = p Unit = kg m/s p=mv
Momentum 2 cars have the same mass – one is moving fast, the other slow. The fast car has more momentum than the slow car. 2 cars moving at same speed – the heavier car will have more momentum than the lighter car.
Momentum and Force F = ∆p ÷ ∆t ∆p is called Impulse ∆p= Fnet ∆t
Law of Conservation of Momentum The total momentum of an isolated system remains constant during a collision. momentum before = momentum after ∆p = 0 Isolated system – no outside forces present
Equations for Momentum 1 car moving : mv 2 cars moving separately : m1v1 + m2v2 2 cars stuck together moving : v(m1 + m2)
Collisions Elastic collision – the objects bounce off each other. Kinetic energy is conserved Inelastic collision – the objects stick together. Kinetic energy is not conserved Partially inelastic (deformed but not stuck) Totally inelastic (stuck together)
2D Collisions If a collision occurs in 2 dimensions, momentum is still conserved. You will have ∆px=0 ∆py=0
Examples Write ALL of these examples down. There are lots of them.