1. Chapter 9
Linear Momentum

2. Announcements Assignments due Saturday
Midterm Exam II: October 17 (chapters 6-9)
Formula sheet will be posted
Practice problems
Practice exam next week

3. Linear Momentum
Momentum is a vector; its direction is the same as the direction of the velocity.

4. Momentum and Newton’s Second Law
Newton’s second law, as we wrote it before:
is only valid for objects that have constant mass. Here is a more general form (also useful when the mass is changing):

5. Impulse is a vector, in the same direction as the average force.
The same change in momentum may be produced by a large force acting for a short time, or by a smaller force acting for a longer time.
Impulse quantifies the overall change in momentum
Impulse is a vector, in the same direction as the average force.

6. Impulse We can rewrite as So we see that
The impulse is equal to the change in momentum.

7. Why we don’t dive into concrete
The same change in momentum may be produced by a large force acting for a short time, or by a smaller force acting for a longer time.

8. Going Bowling II p a) the bowling ball b) same time for both
A bowling ball and a Ping-Pong ball are rolling toward you with the same momentum. If you exert the same force to stop each one, which takes a longer time to bring to rest?
a) the bowling ball
b) same time for both
c) the Ping-Pong ball
d) impossible to say
Answer: b p

9. Going Bowling II p = F  t p a) the bowling ball
A bowling ball and a Ping-Pong ball are rolling toward you with the same momentum. If you exert the same force to stop each one, which takes a longer time to bring to rest?
a) the bowling ball
b) same time for both
c) the Ping-Pong ball
d) impossible to say av
 t p F = p
We know:
so p = Fav t
Here, F and p are the same for both balls!
It will take the same amount of time to stop them.

10. Going Bowling III
A bowling ball and a Ping-Pong ball are rolling toward you with the same momentum. If you exert the same force to stop each one, for which is the stopping distance greater?
a) the bowling ball
b) same distance for both
c) the Ping-Pong ball
d) impossible to say
Answer: c p

11. Going Bowling III
A bowling ball and a Ping-Pong ball are rolling toward you with the same momentum. If you exert the same force to stop each one, for which is the stopping distance greater?
a) the bowling ball
b) same distance for both
c) the Ping-Pong ball
d) impossible to say
Use the work-energy theorem: W = KE. The ball with less mass has the greater speed, and thus the greater KE. In order to remove that KE, work must be done, where W = Fd. Because the force is the same in both cases, the distance needed to stop the less massive ball must be bigger. p

12. Conservation of Linear Momentum
The net force acting on an object is the rate of change of its momentum:
If the net force is zero, the momentum does not change!
With no net force:
A vector equation
Works for each coordinate separately

13. Internal Versus External Forces
Internal forces act between objects within the system.
As with all forces, they occur in action-reaction pairs. As all pairs act between objects in the system, the internal forces always sum to zero:
Therefore, the net force acting on a system is the sum of the external forces acting on it.

14. Momentum of components of a system
Internal forces cannot change the momentum of a system.
However, the momenta of pieces of the system may change.
With no net external force:
An example of internal forces moving components of a system:

15. Kinetic Energy of a System
Another example of internal forces moving components of a system:
The initial momentum equals the final (total) momentum.
But the final Kinetic Energy is very large

16. Birth of the neutrino Beta decay fails momentum conservation?
First detection 1956
Pauli “fixes” it with a new ghost-like, undetectable particle
Bohr scoffs

17. Momentum, Energy, and Collisions
Lecture 11
Momentum, Energy, and Collisions

18. Linear Momentum
Impulse
With no net external force:

19. Nuclear Fission I
A uranium nucleus (at rest) undergoes fission and splits into two fragments, one heavy and the other light. Which fragment has the greater momentum?
a) the heavy one
b) the light one
c) both have the same momentum
d) impossible to say
Answer: c 1 2

20. Nuclear Fission I
A uranium nucleus (at rest) undergoes fission and splits into two fragments, one heavy and the other light. Which fragment has the greater momentum?
a) the heavy one
b) the light one
c) both have the same momentum
d) impossible to say
The initial momentum of the uranium was zero, so the final total momentum of the two fragments must also be zero. Thus the individual momenta are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. 1 2

21. Nuclear Fission II
A uranium nucleus (at rest) undergoes fission and splits into two fragments, one heavy and the other light. Which fragment has the greater speed?
a) the heavy one
b) the light one
c) both have the same speed
d) impossible to say
Answer: b 1 2

22. Nuclear Fission II
A uranium nucleus (at rest) undergoes fission and splits into two fragments, one heavy and the other light. Which fragment has the greater speed?
a) the heavy one
b) the light one
c) both have the same speed
d) impossible to say
We have already seen that the individual momenta are equal and opposite. In order to keep the magnitude of momentum mv the same, the heavy fragment has the lower speed and the light fragment has the greater speed. 1 2

23. looking from above: y v2 x v1 v3
A plate drops onto a smooth floor and shatters into three pieces of equal mass. Two of the pieces go off with equal speeds v along the floor, but at right angles to one another. Find the speed and direction of the third piece.
looking from above: x y
We know that px=0, py = 0 in initial state
and no external forces act in the horizontal v2 v3 v1

24. An 85-kg lumberjack stands at one end of a 380-kg floating log, as shown in the figure. Both the log and the lumberjack are at rest initially.
(a) If the lumberjack now trots toward the other end of the log with a speed of 2.7 m/s relative to the log, what is the lumberjack’s speed relative to the shore? Ignore friction between the log and the water.
(b) If the mass of the log had been greater, would the lumberjack’s speed relative to the shore be greater than, less than, or the same as in part (a)? Explain.

26. Center of Mass

27. Center of Mass For two objects:
The center of mass of a system is the point where the system can be balanced in a uniform gravitational field.
For two objects:
The center of mass is closer to the more massive object.
Think of it as the “average location of the mass”

28. The center of mass need not be within the object

29. Momentum of components of a system
Internal forces cannot change the momentum of a system.
RECALL:
However, the momenta of pieces of the system may change.
With no net external force:
An example of internal forces moving components of a system:

30. Motion about the Center of Mass
The center of mass of a complex or composite object follows a trajectory as if it were a single particle - with mass equal to the complex object, and experiencing a force equal to the sum of all external forces on that complex object

31. Motion of the center of mass
Action/Reaction pairs inside the system cancel out

32. The total mass multiplied by the acceleration of the center of mass is equal to the net external force
The center of mass accelerates just as though it were a point particle of mass M acted on by

33. Momentum of a composite object

34. Recoil Speed
A cannon sits on a stationary railroad flatcar with a total mass of kg. When a 10-kg cannonball is fired to the left at a speed of 50 m/s, what is the recoil speed of the flatcar?
a) 0 m/s
b) 0.5 m/s to the right
c) 1 m/s to the right
d) 20 m/s to the right
e) 50 m/s to the right

35. Recoil Speed
A cannon sits on a stationary railroad flatcar with a total mass of kg. When a 10-kg cannonball is fired to the left at a speed of 50 m/s, what is the recoil speed of the flatcar?
a) 0 m/s
b) 0.5 m/s to the right
c) 1 m/s to the right
d) 20 m/s to the right
e) 50 m/s to the right
Because the initial momentum of the system was zero, the final total momentum must also be zero. Thus, the final momenta of the cannonball and the flatcar must be equal and opposite.
pcannonball = (10 kg)(50 m/s) = 500 kg-m/s
pflatcar = 500 kg-m/s = (1000 kg)(0.5 m/s)

36. Recoil Speed
A cannon sits on a stationary railroad flatcar with a total mass of 1000 kg. When a 10-kg cannonball is fired to the left at a speed of 50 m/s, what is the speed of the center of mass?
a) 0 m/s
b) 0.5 m/s to the right
c) 1 m/s to the right
d) 20 m/s to the right
e) 50 m/s to the right

37. Recoil Speed
A cannon sits on a stationary railroad flatcar with a total mass of kg. When a 10-kg cannonball is fired to the left at a speed of 50 m/s, what is the speed of the center of mass?
a) 0 m/s
b) 0.5 m/s to the right
c) 1 m/s to the right
d) 20 m/s to the right
e) 50 m/s to the right
Internal forces cannot change the motion of the center of mass. The CM was originally motionless at zero, and remains so after the gun is fired.

38. Rolling in the Rain
An open cart rolls along a frictionless track while it is raining. As it rolls, what happens to the speed of the cart as the rain collects in it? (Assume that the rain falls vertically into the box.)
a) speeds up
b) maintains constant speed
c) slows down
d) stops immediately

39. Rolling in the Rain
An open cart rolls along a frictionless track while it is raining. As it rolls, what happens to the speed of the cart as the rain collects in it? (Assume that the rain falls vertically into the box.)
a) speeds up
b) maintains constant speed
c) slows down
d) stops immediately
Because the rain falls in vertically, it adds no momentum to the box, thus the box’s momentum is conserved. However, because the mass of the box slowly increases with the added rain, its velocity has to decrease.

40. Two objects collide... and stick
mass m
No external forces... so momentum of system is conserved
initial
px = mv0
mv0 = (2m)vf
vf = v0 / 2
final
px = (2m)vf
A completely inelastic collision: no “bounce back”

41. Inelastic collision: What about energy?
mass m
vf = v0 / 2
initial
final
Kinetic energy is lost!
KEfinal = 1/2 KEinitial

42. This is an example of an “inelastic collision”
Collisions
This is an example of an “inelastic collision”
Collision: two objects striking one another
Elastic collision ⇔ “things bounce back”
⇔ energy is conserved
Inelastic collision: less than perfectly bouncy
⇔ Kinetic energy is lost
Time of collision is short enough that external forces may be ignored so momentum is conserved
Completely inelastic collision: objects stick together afterwards. Nothing “bounces back”. Maximal energy loss

43. Elastic vs. Inelastic Completely inelastic collision:
colliding objects stick together, maximal loss of kinetic energy
Inelastic collision:
momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not
Elastic collision:
momentum and kinetic energy is conserved.

44. Completely Inelastic Collisions in One Dimension
Solving for the final momentum in terms of initial velocities and masses, for a 1-dimensional, completely inelastic collision between unequal masses:
Completely inelastic only
(objects stick together, so have same final velocity)
Momentum Conservation:
KEfinal < KEinitial

45. Crash Cars I
a) I
b) II
c) I and II
d) II and III
e) all three
If all three collisions below are totally inelastic, which one(s) will bring the car on the left to a complete halt?
Answer: e

46. Crash Cars I
a) I
b) II
c) I and II
d) II and III
e) all three
If all three collisions below are totally inelastic, which one(s) will bring the car on the left to a complete halt?
In case I, the solid wall clearly stops the car.
In cases II and III, because ptot = 0 before the collision, then ptot must also be zero after the collision, which means that the car comes to a halt in all three cases.

47. Crash Cars II
If all three collisions below are totally inelastic, which one(s) will cause the most damage (in terms of lost energy)?
a) I
b) II
c) III
d) II and III
e) all three
Answer: c

48. Crash Cars II
If all three collisions below are totally inelastic, which one(s) will cause the most damage (in terms of lost energy)?
a) I
b) II
c) III
d) II and III
e) all three
The car on the left loses the same KE in all three cases, but in case III, the car on the right loses the most KE because KE = mv2 and the car in case III has the largest velocity.

49. Ballistic pendulum: the height h can be found using conservation of mechanical energy after the object is embedded in the block.
vf = m v0 / (m+M)
momentum conservation
in inelastic collision
KE = 1/2 (mv0)2 / (m+M)
energy conservation
afterwards
PE = (m+M) g h
hmax = (mv0)2 / [2 g (m+M)2]

50. Velocity of the ballistic pendulum
approximation
Pellet Mass (m): 2 g
Pendulum Mass (M): 3.81 kg
Wire length (L): 4.00 m

51. Inelastic Collisions in 2 Dimensions
For collisions in two dimensions, conservation of momentum is applied separately along each axis:
Energy is not a vector equation: there is only 1 conservation of energy equation
Momentum is a vector equation: there is 1 conservation of momentum equation per dimension

52. In elastic collisions, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved.
One-dimensional elastic collision:

53. Elastic Collisions in 1-dimension
For special case of v2i = 0
We have two equations:
conservation of momentum
conservation of energy
and two unknowns (the final speeds).
solving for the final speeds:
Note: relative speed is conserved for head-on (1-D) elastic collision

54. Limiting cases of elastic collisions
note: relative speed conserved

55. Limiting cases
note: relative speed conserved

56. Limiting cases
note: relative speed conserved

57. Toy Pendulum Incompatible!
Could two balls recoil and conserve both momentum and energy?
Incompatible!

58. Elastic Collisions II
Carefully place a small rubber ball (mass m) on top of a much bigger basketball (mass M) and drop these from the same height h so they arrive at the ground with the speed v. What is the velocity of the smaller ball after the basketball hits the ground, reverses direction, and then collides with the small rubber ball?
a) zero
b) v
c) 2v
d) 3v
e) 4v m v v M

59. Elastic Collisions II
Carefully place a small rubber ball (mass m) on top of a much bigger basketball (mass M) and drop these from the same height h so they arrive at the ground with the speed v. What is the velocity of the smaller ball after the basketball hits the ground, reverses direction, and then collides with the small rubber ball?
a) zero
b) v
c) 2v
d) 3v
e) 4v
Remember that relative velocity has to be equal before and after collision! Before the collision, the basketball bounces up with v and the rubber ball is coming down with v, so their relative velocity is –2v. After the collision, it therefore has to be +2v!! v 3v
(a)
(b)
(c) m M

60. Elastic Collisions I 2 1 at rest v a) situation 1 b) situation 2
Consider two elastic collisions:
1) a golf ball with speed v hits a stationary bowling ball head-on.
2) a bowling ball with speed v hits a stationary golf ball head-on.
In which case does the golf ball have the greater speed after the collision?
a) situation 1
b) situation 2
c) both the same
Answer: b v 2 1
at rest

61. Elastic Collisions I v 1 v 2 a) situation 1 b) situation 2
Consider two elastic collisions:
1) a golf ball with speed v hits a stationary bowling ball head-on.
2) a bowling ball with speed v hits a stationary golf ball head-on.
In which case does the golf ball have the greater speed after the collision?
a) situation 1
b) situation 2
c) both the same v 1
Remember that the magnitude of the relative velocity has to be equal before and after the collision!
In case 1 the bowling ball will almost remain at rest, and the golf ball will bounce back with speed close to v. v 2 2v
In case 2 the bowling ball will keep going with speed close to v, hence the golf ball will rebound with speed close to 2v.