1. Momentum Practice Problems
Physics Chapter 8

2. #1
A sports car and a semi truck are involved in a head on collision. Which vehicle experiences the greater impulse?
The sports car
The semi truck
Both vehicles experience the same impulse
Not enough information to know

3. #1
A sports car and a semi truck are involved in a head on collision. Which vehicle experiences the greater impulse?
The sports car
The semi truck
Both vehicles experience the same impulse
Not enough information to know

4. #2
A dropped egg hits the ground and experiences a certain force and a certain impulse. If that same egg is dropped into a padded container is experiences _______ force and ______ impulse.
The same; the same
Less; the same
The same; less
Less; less

5. #2
A dropped egg hits the ground and experiences a certain force and a certain impulse. If that same egg is dropped into a padded container is experiences _______ force and ______ impulse.
The same; the same
Less; the same
The same; less
Less; less

6. #3
When comparing the momentum of two moving objects, which of the following is correct?
a. The object with the higher velocity will have less momentum if the masses are equal.
b. The more massive object will have less momentum if its velocity is greater.
c. The less massive object will have less momentum if the velocities are the same.
d. The more massive object will have less momentum if the velocities are the same.

7. #3
When comparing the momentum of two moving objects, which of the following is correct?
a. The object with the higher velocity will have less momentum if the masses are equal.
b. The more massive object will have less momentum if its velocity is greater.
c. The less massive object will have less momentum if the velocities are the same.
d. The more massive object will have less momentum if the velocities are the same.

8. #4 The change in an object’s momentum is equal to
a. the product of the mass of the object and the time interval.
b. the product of the force applied to the object and the time interval.
c. the time interval divided by the net external force.
d. the net external force divided by the time interval.

9. #4 The change in an object’s momentum is equal to
a. the product of the mass of the object and the time interval.
b. the product of the force applied to the object and the time interval.
c. the time interval divided by the net external force.
d. the net external force divided by the time interval.

10. #5
A force is applied to stop a moving shopping cart. Increasing the time interval over which the force is applied
a. requires a greater force.
b. has no effect on the force needed.
c. requires a smaller force.
d. requires the same force.

11. #5
A force is applied to stop a moving shopping cart. Increasing the time interval over which the force is applied
a. requires a greater force.
b. has no effect on the force needed.
c. requires a smaller force.
d. requires the same force.

12. #6
A moderate force will break an egg. However, an egg dropped on the road usually breaks, while one dropped on the grass usually does not break because for the egg dropped on the grass,
a. the change in momentum is greater.
b. the change in momentum is less.
c. the time interval for stopping is greater.
d. the time interval for stopping is less.

13. #6
A moderate force will break an egg. However, an egg dropped on the road usually breaks, while one dropped on the grass usually does not break because for the egg dropped on the grass,
a. the change in momentum is greater.
b. the change in momentum is less.
c. the time interval for stopping is greater.
d. the time interval for stopping is less.

14. #7
Two skaters stand facing each other. One skater’s mass is 60 kg, and the other’s mass is 72 kg. If the skaters push away from each other without spinning,
a. the 60 kg skater travels with a lower momentum.
b. their momenta are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
c. their total momentum doubles.
d. their total momentum decreases.

15. #7
Two skaters stand facing each other. One skater’s mass is 60 kg, and the other’s mass is 72 kg. If the skaters push away from each other without spinning,
a. the 60 kg skater travels with a lower momentum.
b. their momenta are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
c. their total momentum doubles.
d. their total momentum decreases.

16. #8
A soccer ball collides with another soccer ball at rest. The total momentum of the balls
a. is zero.
b. increases.
c. remains constant.
d. decreases. 

17. #8
A soccer ball collides with another soccer ball at rest. The total momentum of the balls
a. is zero.
b. increases.
c. remains constant.
d. decreases. 

18. #9 The law of conservation of momentum states that
a. the total initial momentum of all objects interacting with one another usually equals the total final momentum.
b. the total initial momentum of all objects interacting with one another does not equal the total final momentum.
c. the total momentum of all objects interacting with one another is zero.
d. the total momentum of all objects interacting with one another remains constant assuming no external influences

19. #9 The law of conservation of momentum states that
a. the total initial momentum of all objects interacting with one another usually equals the total final momentum.
b. the total initial momentum of all objects interacting with one another does not equal the total final momentum.
c. the total momentum of all objects interacting with one another is zero.
d. the total momentum of all objects interacting with one another remains constant assuming no external influences

20. #10
A billiard ball collides with a stationary identical billiard ball in an elastic head-on collision. After the collision, which is true of the first ball? a. It maintains its initial velocity. b. It has one-half its initial velocity. c. It comes to rest. d. It moves in the opposite direction.

21. #10
A billiard ball collides with a stationary identical billiard ball in an elastic head-on collision. After the collision, which is true of the first ball? a. It maintains its initial velocity. b. It has one-half its initial velocity. c. It comes to rest. d. It moves in the opposite direction.

22. #11
Describe the function and physics principles behind an automobile's airbag system. Use the terms force, time, impulse, and change in momentum in your answer.

23. #11
Describe the function and physics principles behind an automobile's airbag system. Use the terms force, time, impulse, and change in momentum in your answer.
By extending the impact time, an airbag reduces the impact force. Because the passenger undergoes the same change in velocity in both an air bag stop and a sudden stop, the change in momentum (and thus impulse) is the same for both collisions.