1. Gaining Momentum: Chapter 9 New Vocabulary: Linear Momentum
Impulse (force times time)
Major Concepts of Chapter 9:
Linear momentum is conserved. It remains the same in the absence of an external force.
Linear momentum can be changed by an impulse (a force acting for a period of time).
Linear momentum is unchanged in collisions
There are two types of collisions: inelastic and elastic. Linear momentum is conserved in BOTH.
An “elastic” collision is one in which the objects “bounce”, and energy is conserved.
An “inelastic” collision is one in which the objects stick together, and energy is lost to heat.

2. Why do we need momentum?
Momentum is useful because it remains unchanged in the absence of external forces
The total momentum of a system of moving objects is the sum of the individual momenta
Note that momentum is a VECTOR. It has magnitude AND direction.

3. Momentum changes with an external force.
Note: is for the case where mass is constant.
This is a more accurate statement of Newton’s second law.
An IMPULSE can cause a change in momentum.
Check the units:
Momentum is mass X velocity = kg – m/s
Impulse is mass X acceleration X time = kg-m/s^2 *s

4. Newton’s Second Law Most general form. If mass is constant….
Constant mass form.

5. Changes in momentum. Case A (inelastic collision)
Case B (elastic collision)
-Pi DP DP
Case B Pf Pi Pf

6. Acting on Impulse: Change of Momentum

7. Momentum Conservation
In the absence of an external force, linear momentum of a system of objects does not change.
So, if the impulse (external force) is zero,
Main Message
The total momentum of a system of objects is the sum of the individual momenta.

8. Elastic collision: make a prediction.
We will do this experiment in a moment. Assume m1 = m2.
If the initial speed is V, what are the final speeds, V1, V2?

9. Elastic Collision: M1 = M2
Elastic Collision: M1 = M2. The initial velocity of M1 is +V; M2 is zero. The final velocities of M1 and M2, respectively, are:
0 / 100
Zero, V/2
-V, V
Zero, V
V/2, V/2
Cross-Tab Label

10. Inelastic Collision: Make a prediction

11. Inelastic Collision: M1 = M2. The initial velocity is V
Inelastic Collision: M1 = M2. The initial velocity is V. The final velocity is:
0 / 100 2V
Zero V
V/2
Cross-Tab Label

12. A matter of the point of view….
Imagine how a collision looks, when viewed from a video camera that is moving.
“Real world.” M 2v V

13. Here’s what the film sees….v v
“Film world.” M M
Before collision, the film shows two blocks of same mass approaching at the same speed.
“Real world.” M 2v V

14. In the film, two identical masses approach velocity +V and –V respectively. After the collision, the velocity is
0 / 100
Zero, Zero
-V, +V
-V/2, +V/2
+V, -V (no change)
Cross-Tab Label

15. Here’s what the film sees….v v
“Film world.” M M
Before collision, the film shows two blocks of same mass approaching at the same speed.
After the collision, the blocks move apart with equal speed. M v M v

16. If that’s what the film “saw”, what happened in the “real world”?….
“Film world.”
After the collision, the blocks move apart with equal speed. M v V
“Real world.” 2v
V=0 M M
Actually, both situations describe “real” physics. Momentum is conserved in both cases.