AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Conservation Of Linear Momentum

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Conservation Of Linear Momentum, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 1.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What does the variable $p$ represent in the momentum formula?

Answer: Momentum. Standard physics notation for momentum in equations.

Flashcard 2: Determine the momentum of a 2 kg object moving at -3 m/s.

Answer: -6 kg·m/s. Negative velocity gives negative momentum: $2 × (-3)$.

Flashcard 3: Which law of motion is associated with momentum conservation?

Answer: Newton's Third Law. Equal and opposite forces result in momentum conservation.

Flashcard 4: What is the unit of momentum in the SI system?

Answer: Kilogram meter per second (kg·m/s). Derived from mass (kg) times velocity (m/s).

Flashcard 5: In a closed system, what can be said about the momentum before and after a collision?

Answer: Momentum before equals momentum after. Conservation law requires momentum equality before and after.

Flashcard 6: Identify the variable representing mass in momentum equations.

Answer: $m$. Standard symbol for mass in physics equations.

Flashcard 7: What is the principle of conservation of linear momentum?

Answer: Total momentum remains constant in an isolated system. A fundamental law stating momentum is conserved without external forces.

Flashcard 8: What is the momentum of a 5 kg object moving at 10 m/s?

Answer: 50 kg·m/s. Using $p = mv$: $5 × 10 = 50$ kg·m/s.

Flashcard 9: For a perfectly inelastic collision, what happens to the objects?

Answer: They stick together. Objects combine and move together with shared velocity.

Flashcard 10: Calculate the momentum of a 10 kg object at rest.

Answer: 0 kg·m/s. At rest means velocity is zero, so momentum is zero.

Flashcard 11: When two objects collide, how is total momentum calculated?

Answer: Sum of individual momenta before collision equals sum after. Conservation law: initial total momentum equals final total momentum.

Flashcard 12: In which type of collision is momentum conserved?

Answer: All types of collisions. Momentum conservation is universal for all collision types.

Flashcard 13: What is the impulse on a 10 kg object with a velocity change from 0 to 5 m/s?

Answer: 50 kg·m/s. Change in momentum: $10(5) - 10(0) = 50$ kg·m/s.

Flashcard 14: What is the unit of momentum in the SI system?

Answer: Kilogram meter per second (kg·m/s). Derived from mass (kg) times velocity (m/s).

Flashcard 15: How does doubling the mass of an object affect its momentum, assuming constant velocity?

Answer: Momentum doubles. Momentum is proportional to mass at constant velocity.

Flashcard 16: What is the effect of an inelastic collision on the total kinetic energy?

Answer: Total kinetic energy decreases. Some kinetic energy converts to other forms during collision.

Flashcard 17: What is the final velocity of two 5 kg objects colliding and sticking together if one moves at 4 m/s?

Answer: 2 m/s. Using conservation: $(5)(4) + (5)(0) = (10)v$, so $v = 2$ m/s.

Flashcard 18: How is impulse related to momentum?

Answer: Impulse equals change in momentum. The impulse-momentum theorem connects these quantities.

Flashcard 19: What quantity is conserved in all types of collisions?

Answer: Momentum. Universal conservation law for all collision scenarios.

Flashcard 20: Identify the variable representing velocity in momentum equations.

Answer: $v$. Standard symbol for velocity in physics equations.

Flashcard 21: What is the term for the rate of change of momentum?

Answer: Force. Newton's second law: $F = dp/dt$.

Flashcard 22: What is the effect of external forces on a system's momentum?

Answer: It can change the momentum. External forces can alter the system's total momentum.

Flashcard 23: Which law of motion is associated with momentum conservation?

Answer: Newton's Third Law. Equal and opposite forces result in momentum conservation.

Flashcard 24: What is the result of an elastic collision in terms of momentum?

Answer: Momentum is conserved. Momentum conservation applies to all collision types.

Flashcard 25: Determine the momentum of a 2 kg object moving at -3 m/s.

Answer: -6 kg·m/s. Negative velocity gives negative momentum: $2 × (-3)$.

Flashcard 26: How does momentum differ from kinetic energy?

Answer: Momentum is a vector; kinetic energy is a scalar. Momentum has direction; kinetic energy is always positive.

Flashcard 27: If an object's velocity doubles, what happens to its momentum?

Answer: Momentum doubles. Momentum is proportional to velocity at constant mass.

Flashcard 28: Calculate the change in momentum for a 2 kg ball accelerating from 3 m/s to 7 m/s.

Answer: 8 kg·m/s. Change: $2(7) - 2(3) = 14 - 6 = 8$ kg·m/s.

Flashcard 29: What kind of system is required for momentum conservation?

Answer: Isolated system. No external forces acting on the system are required.

Flashcard 30: Find the final velocity of a 3 kg object with 9 kg·m/s momentum.

Answer: 3 m/s. Using $v = p/m$: $9/3 = 3$ m/s.