Apply Momentum Conservation to Collisions - Physics

  1. What is the impulse-momentum theorem for an object in 1D?
    J=Δp=m(v−u)J = \Delta p = m(v-u). Impulse equals change in momentum, which is mass times velocity change.
  2. What is the momentum conservation equation for a 1D collision in an isolated system?
    m1u1+m2u2=m1v1+m2v2m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2. Total momentum before equals total momentum after in isolated systems.
  3. Identify the sign convention rule for 1D momentum problems along a chosen axis.
    Choose + direction; velocities opposite it are negative. Consistent signs ensure momentum conservation equations work correctly.
  4. What component equations express 2D momentum conservation for two objects?
    px,i=px,fp_{x,i}=p_{x,f} and py,i=py,fp_{y,i}=p_{y,f}. Each component is independently conserved.
  5. What is the 2D momentum conservation statement for an isolated collision?
    p⃗initial=p⃗final\vec p_{\text{initial}}=\vec p_{\text{final}}. Vector momentum is conserved in all directions.
  6. What is the post-collision common velocity vv if two masses stick together in 1D?
    v=m1u1+m2u2m1+m2v = \frac{m_1u_1 + m_2u_2}{m_1 + m_2}. Total momentum divided by total mass gives common velocity.
  7. Find v2v_2 if m1=m2m_1 = m_2, u2=0u_2 = 0, and after collision v1=0v_1 = 0 (use momentum conservation).
    v2=u1v_2 = u_1. Equal masses exchange velocities in this special case.
  8. What value of ee corresponds to a perfectly inelastic collision (objects stick)?
    e=0e = 0. Objects stick together with no relative motion after collision.
  9. Find vv if m1=1 kgm_1=1\,\text{kg} at u1=8 m/su_1=8\,\text{m/s} sticks to m2=3 kgm_2=3\,\text{kg} at u2=0u_2=0.
    v=2 m/sv=2\,\text{m/s}. (1)(8)+(3)(0)=(1+3)v(1)(8)+(3)(0)=(1+3)v gives v=2v=2 m/s.
  10. Find vv if m1=3 kgm_1=3\,\text{kg} at u1=2 m/su_1=2\,\text{m/s} sticks to m2=3 kgm_2=3\,\text{kg} at u2=−2 m/su_2=-2\,\text{m/s}.
    v=0 m/sv=0\,\text{m/s}. Equal and opposite momenta cancel when objects stick.
  11. What value of ee corresponds to a perfectly inelastic collision (objects stick together)?
    e=0e=0. Objects stick together with no relative motion after collision.
  12. What condition must be true for total momentum to be conserved during a collision?
    Fext,net=0F_{\text{ext,net}} = 0 (impulse from external forces is zero). No external forces means the system's total momentum stays constant.
  13. What is the momentum-conservation equation for an isolated 1D collision of two objects?
    m1u1+m2u2=m1v1+m2v2m_1u_1+m_2u_2=m_1v_1+m_2v_2. Total momentum before equals total momentum after for isolated systems.
  14. Find the final velocity vv if m1=1 kgm_1 = 1\,\text{kg} at u1=4 m/su_1 = 4\,\text{m/s} hits m2=3 kgm_2 = 3\,\text{kg} at u2=0u_2 = 0 and they stick.
    v=1 msv = 1\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{s}}. (1)(4)+(3)(0)=(1+3)v(1)(4) + (3)(0) = (1+3)v gives v=1v = 1 m/s.
  15. Identify the sign rule for 1D momentum problems when choosing a positive direction.
    Velocities opposite the positive direction are negative. Ensures correct vector addition in 1D problems.
  16. What is the coefficient of restitution definition in 1D for two colliding objects?
    e=v2−v1u1−u2e=\frac{v_2-v_1}{u_1-u_2}. Measures relative separation speed over approach speed.
  17. What is the momentum of a particle of mass mm moving at velocity vv in 1D?
    p=mvp=mv. Momentum equals mass times velocity in classical mechanics.
  18. What value of ee corresponds to a perfectly elastic collision?
    e=1e=1. Objects separate with same relative speed as approach.
  19. Find the final velocity vv if m1=2 kgm_1 = 2\,\text{kg} at u1=3 m/su_1 = 3\,\text{m/s} hits m2=1 kgm_2 = 1\,\text{kg} at rest and they stick.
    v=2 m/sv = 2\,\text{m/s}. (2)(3)+(1)(0)=(2+1)v(2)(3) + (1)(0) = (2+1)v gives v=2v = 2 m/s.
  20. Find vv if m1=2 kgm_1=2\,\text{kg} at u1=3 m/su_1=3\,\text{m/s} sticks to m2=1 kgm_2=1\,\text{kg} at u2=0u_2=0.
    v=2 m/sv=2\,\text{m/s}. (2)(3)+(1)(0)=(2+1)v(2)(3)+(1)(0)=(2+1)v gives v=2v=2 m/s.
  21. Find the impulse on a 2 kg2\,\text{kg} cart that changes velocity from −1 m/s-1\,\text{m/s} to 4 m/s4\,\text{m/s}.
    J=10 N⋅sJ=10\,\text{N}\cdot\text{s}. J=mΔv=(2)(4−(−1))=10J=m\Delta v=(2)(4-(-1))=10 N·s.
  22. Find the recoil speed vrv_r of a 2 kg2\,\text{kg} gun if it fires a 0.010 kg0.010\,\text{kg} bullet at 400 m/s400\,\text{m/s} from rest.
    vr=−2 m/sv_r = -2\,\text{m/s}. (2)(0)+(0.010)(0)=(2)vr+(0.010)(400)(2)(0) + (0.010)(0) = (2)v_r + (0.010)(400) gives vr=−2v_r = -2 m/s.
  23. Identify the correct 2D conservation equations if total initial momentum is only in +x+x direction.
    px,i=px,fp_{x,i}=p_{x,f} and 0=py,f0=p_{y,f}. py,i=0p_{y,i}=0 so py,f=0p_{y,f}=0; x-momentum conserved separately.
  24. What is the impulse-momentum theorem for one object in 1D?
    J=△p=m(v−u)J=\triangle p=m(v-u). Impulse equals change in momentum.
  25. What additional conservation law applies to an elastic collision besides momentum?
    Kinetic energy is conserved: Ki=KfK_i = K_f. Elastic collisions conserve both momentum and kinetic energy.
  26. Which quantity is always conserved in an isolated collision: momentum or kinetic energy?
    Momentum. KE only conserved in elastic collisions; momentum always conserved.
  27. Find the system total momentum pp for m1=2 kgm_1 = 2\,\text{kg} at +3 m/s+3\,\text{m/s} and m2=1 kgm_2 = 1\,\text{kg} at −2 m/s-2\,\text{m/s}.
    p=4 kg⋅m/sp = 4\,\text{kg}\cdot\text{m/s}. (2)(3)+(1)(−2)=6−2=4(2)(3) + (1)(-2) = 6 - 2 = 4 kg·m/s.
  28. What is the kinetic energy of a mass mm moving at speed vv?
    K=12mv2K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2. Energy of motion equals half mass times velocity squared.
  29. State the formula for the common final velocity when two objects stick together in 1D.
    v=m1u1+m2u2m1+m2v=\frac{m_1u_1+m_2u_2}{m_1+m_2}. Total momentum divided by total mass gives common velocity.
  30. What condition must be true for total momentum to be conserved during a collision?
    Net external impulse on the system is 00. No external forces means momentum stays constant.
  31. What is the momentum of a particle of mass mm moving at velocity vv in 1D?
    p=mvp = mv. Momentum equals mass times velocity in the chosen direction.
  32. What value of ee corresponds to a perfectly elastic collision?
    e=1e = 1. Objects separate at same relative speed they approached.
  33. Find the impulse JJ on a 0.50 kg0.50\,\text{kg} ball if it changes from +4 m/s+4\,\text{m/s} to −2 m/s-2\,\text{m/s}.
    J=−3 N⋅sJ = -3\,\text{N}\cdot\text{s}. J=(0.50)[(−2)−(+4)]=−3J = (0.50)[(-2) - (+4)] = -3 N·s.
  34. Find the final speed vv if a 0.20 kg0.20\,\text{kg} cart at 5 m/s5\,\text{m/s} sticks to a 0.30 kg0.30\,\text{kg} cart at rest.
    v=2 m/sv = 2\,\text{m/s}. (0.20)(5)+(0.30)(0)=(0.50)v(0.20)(5) + (0.30)(0) = (0.50)v gives v=2v = 2 m/s.

Study these flashcards