Momentum Quiz

Momentum is a measure of how difficult it is to stop a moving object. The greater the momentum, the harder it is to bring the object to rest.

Momentum is calculated using the following equation:

\[ p = m \times v \]

Where:

• p = momentum (kg m/s),
• m = mass (kg),
• v = velocity (m/s).

A force applied to an object over time causes a change in momentum. This relationship can be expressed as:

\[ \Delta p = F \times t \]

Where:

• \(\Delta p\) = change in momentum (kg m/s),
• F = force (N),
• t = time (s).

When two objects with different momenta collide, their total momentum before the collision is equal to their total momentum after the collision, provided no external forces act on the system. This is known as the principle of conservation of momentum.

For example, if a 2 kg object moving at 3 m/s collides with a 1 kg object moving at 2 m/s in the same direction, the total momentum before the collision is calculated as:

\[ p_{\text{total before}} = (2 \times 3) + (1 \times 2) = 6 + 2 = 8 \, \text{kg m/s} \]

After the collision, the total momentum will still be 8 kg m/s. The final velocities of the objects will depend on the type of collision (elastic or inelastic), but the total momentum remains constant.

Practice using these equations with our momentum quiz!