
Define momentum as a vector quantity with P = mv, where mass is scalar and velocity is a vector, so momentum points in the same direction as velocity.
Treat momentum as a vector; for 3 kg at 5 m/s at 40 degrees, p is 15 kg m/s, with p_x about 11.5 and p_y about 9.6.
Relate momentum to forces by defining momentum as mass times velocity and rewriting Newton's second law as net force equals change in momentum. This aids understanding of collision problems.
Analyze two momentum changes: a bear stops, delta p = -mv. A ball that bounces yields delta p = 2mv, a larger vector change in the up direction.
Compute impulse when the force varies with time by integrating the area under the curve, using rectangles and triangles to sum the area in newton-seconds.
Set average force as a constant over the same delta t to match the impulse; F_avg = impulse / delta t, e.g., 200 N for 1.2 N·s over 6 ms.
Compute the impulse on an 80 kg sled slowing from 4 to 3 m/s, yielding J = -80 N·s, and the friction force is about -53.3 N over 1.5 s.
Use conservation of energy to find the velocities before and after impact, then apply impulse equals change in momentum to compute the maximum floor force.
Apply impulse and momentum to a 2 kg object moving at 1 m/s under a 2 N force for 0.5 s. Reach 1.5 m/s to the right.
Compute the impulse from the two-dimensional momentum change for a 0.1 kg baseball, with initial 35 m/s along x and final 17.5 m/s upward, yielding 5.5 kg m/s.
Define a collision system to examine two or more objects and track their combined momentum. Internal forces during collisions conserve the system momentum, even as impulses act on individual momenta.
Explore how two colliding objects conserve momentum, with no external forces, by applying the impulse momentum theorem to each object and to the system as a whole.
Compare elastic, inelastic, and perfectly inelastic collisions, noting momentum conservation in all cases and kinetic energy loss in inelastic events. Learn how sticking objects and external forces influence outcomes.
Perfectly inelastic collisions occur when objects stick together after impact. Use momentum conservation to find the final velocity of the combined mass, noting that kinetic energy is not conserved.
A perfectly inelastic collision involves two particles sticking together; apply conservation of momentum to equate initial and final momentum and determine the direction and magnitude of the combined motion.
Compute the final speed in a perfectly inelastic collision where Bob and the cart move together, using momentum conservation to reach 3 m/s for the 100 kg system.
Explore how momentum and kinetic energy are conserved in elastic collisions and learn to solve for final velocities using vector direction and sign conventions in a one-dimensional setup.
Examine two-dimensional collisions by applying momentum conservation in the x and y directions. Use vector components and initial and final velocities to analyze elastic and inelastic cases.
Explore spring properties and collision dynamics where a spring attaches to a block, applying momentum conservation for the quick collision and energy conservation to determine maximum spring compression.
Derivation of thrust and rocket speed using momentum conservation and calculus, showing how exhaust velocity and mass loss drive acceleration and the log-based velocity equation.
Explore a variable-mass problem with a cart gaining mass from falling rain, derive the momentum equation, and solve for velocity and acceleration as functions of time, including limiting cases.
In this video we apply the previous equations to a collision between a tennis ball and a basketball. We assume that the collision is perfectly elastic and that the mass of the basketball is much greater than the tennis ball.
Compute the pendulum’s speed at the bottom via energy conservation, then solve a 1d elastic collision with a stationary block using momentum and kinetic energy conservation to find final velocities.
The conceptual and short problems are located in the pdf attachment of this video. Try the problems on your own then watch the video solutions. Good luck!
Compare momentum changes for a rubber ball and a clay ball colliding with a wall; show the rubber ball has the larger change and identify momentum units including kg m/s.
Doubling mass and speed yields four times the initial momentum. In an elastic bounce, the momentum's magnitude remains the same while the direction reverses, due to the floor's external force.
Analyze momentum conservation in a skateboard scenario to maximize final speed by deflecting the ball, then compare momentum changes in a car-truck collision, noting equal magnitude changes and mass dependence.
Learn that the system’s momentum is conserved in head‑on collisions, while individual objects change momentum; in a rocket explosion, internal forces conserve system momentum.
Analyze collisions between unequal masses to show that impulse equals change in momentum and that equal forces over the same time yield identical impulses, clarifying problems 11 and 12.
This lecture analyzes kinetic energy and momentum, showing that heavier objects with equal kinetic energy have greater momentum, and that doubling momentum makes kinetic energy fourfold.
If two objects share the same momentum, lighter can have greater kinetic energy; released from a compressed spring on a frictionless surface, the objects move oppositely with zero total momentum.
Two football players collide inelastically and stick, yielding a 2 m/s speed in the negative direction, per momentum conservation; an elastic collision with a rubber ball keeps total energy constant.
Examine momentum conservation on a frictionless pond as hammer and student share equal and opposite momentum, while mass differences drive kinetic energy and speed.
Apply momentum conservation to inelastic collisions of railroad cars and rain accumulation in a moving cart, deriving final velocity and kinetic energy, then show rain reduces speed.
Explain momentum conservation in problems: stationary explosion into three pieces and a frictionless sled with drops, deriving the 3m piece velocity as sqrt(2)/3 of the initial velocity, independent of order.
Apply impulse as the area under a force-time graph to determine momentum change, then use momentum conservation to solve a bullet-block collision and compare initial and final kinetic energies.
This is a problem often found in momentum chapters of physics textbooks. I consider a projectile that explodes once it reaching the maximum height. I consider the case where the initial projectile has a mass 2m and it explodes into 2 fragments, each of mass m. One of the fragments stops and falls immediately below the explosion point. The other segment travels farther. This problem can be solved using projectile motion or position of the center of mass. Both approaches are presented.
In this problem i review the ballistic pendulum. I use conservation of momentum to find the velocity of the Block and bullet system immediately after the collision. I also use convervation of energy after the collision to relate the maximum height of the block+bullet to the initial kinetic energy of the bullet. This is a standard problem found in most physics textbooks.
This comprehensive course covers impulse, momentum, and conservation of linear momentum.
The course combines lectures that summarize the important concepts and tutorials that will guide you and help you develop a problem-solving strategy. You'll learn how to apply conservation of momentum principles to study collisions.
Topics included in this class are:
1) Linear Momentum and Newton's 2nd Law
2) Calculating Impulse and Average Forces
3) Conservation of Linear Momentum
4) Kinetic Energy of a System
5) Collisions in 1-Dimension
6) Collisions in 2-Dimensions
7) Rocket Propulsion: Thrust Force and Speed
There are over 40 fully solved problems ranging in difficulty. I've mixed in many conceptual problems as well as algebraic problems to help you practice applying energy principles to solve problems.
By the end of this class, you will have the confidence to tackle any momentum problem in your class.
If at any point you don't understand something in my videos please feel free to reach out. I'm always willing to help someone learn. Physics Ninja always has your back!
Happy Learning and I truly hope you enjoy this class. I've put a lot of work putting this coursework together.
Dr. E.,
Physics Ninja and Expert Physics and Math Teacher.