Change in Momentum and Impulse
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AP Physics 1 › Change in Momentum and Impulse
A $3.0,\text{kg}$ cart experiences a constant $9,\text{N}$ force left for $0.20,\text{s}$. What is $\Delta \vec p$?
$9,\text{N}$ left
$45,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ left
$1.8,\text{kg!\cdot!m/s}$ right
$1.8,\text{kg!\cdot!m/s}$ left
Explanation
This question assesses the concept of change in momentum and impulse in AP Physics 1. Impulse is force applied across a time period, expressed as J = F Δt. It corresponds exactly to Δp, the vector change in momentum. For the cart, 9 N left for 0.20 s results in Δp of 1.8 kg·m/s left. Choice D omits time, stating just the force. Calculate impulse first and set it equal to Δp for consistent results.
A hockey puck experiences a constant force of $5,\text{N}$ to the right for $0.40,\text{s}$. What is $\Delta \vec p$?
$2.0,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ to the left
$5.0,\text{N}$ to the right
$2.0,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ to the right
$0.08,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ to the right
Explanation
This question assesses the concept of change in momentum and impulse in AP Physics 1. Impulse occurs when a force acts over time, quantified as $J = F \Delta t$. It directly corresponds to the momentum change, $\Delta p = J$, including the vector direction. The $5 , \text{N}$ right for $0.40 , \text{s}$ results in $\Delta p$ of $2.0 , \text{N!\cdot!s}$ right for the puck. Choice C might come from dividing force by time instead of multiplying, a calculation error. Consistently use $J = F \Delta t = \Delta p$ to verify answers in impulse problems.
A $1.5,\text{kg}$ cart moving left receives a constant $3.0,\text{N}$ force rightward for $0.60,\text{s}$. What is $\Delta \vec p$?
$1.8,\text{kg!\cdot!m/s}$ left
$3.0,\text{N}$ right
$5.0,\text{kg!\cdot!m/s}$ right
$1.8,\text{kg!\cdot!m/s}$ right
Explanation
This question assesses the concept of change in momentum and impulse in AP Physics 1. Impulse is calculated as the constant force times the duration, $J = F \Delta t$. This equals the change in momentum, $\Delta p$, which is a vector pointing in the force's direction. The 3.0 N right for 0.60 s gives $\Delta p$ of 1.8 kg·m/s right, independent of initial motion. Choice D incorrectly uses force without time, missing the impulse. Apply $J = F \Delta t = \Delta p$ routinely for any force-time scenario.
A $0.20,\text{kg}$ ball moving right is hit with a constant $12,\text{N}$ force leftward for $0.10,\text{s}$. What is $\Delta \vec p$?
$1.2,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ left
$12,\text{N}$ left
$0.83,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ left
$1.2,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ right
Explanation
This question assesses the concept of change in momentum and impulse in AP Physics 1. Impulse is the integral of force over time, but for constant force, it's simply $J = F \Delta t$. It equates to the momentum shift, $\Delta p = J$, with direction opposite to the ball's initial motion here. The 12 N left for 0.10 s causes $\Delta p$ of $1.2 , \text{N·s}$ left. Choice B lists only the force, forgetting the time multiplication. Use the formula $J = F \Delta t = \Delta p$ as a key step in all impulse-related questions.
A ball is initially at rest. A constant force of $6,\text{N}$ acts upward on it for $0.20,\text{s}$. What is the magnitude of the impulse delivered?
$30,\text{N\cdot s}$
$0.20,\text{s}$
$1.2,\text{N\cdot s}$
$6,\text{N}$
Explanation
This question assesses understanding of impulse and its relation to change in momentum in AP Physics 1. Impulse is the integral of force over time, but for a constant force, it simplifies to force multiplied by time. This impulse is equivalent to the change in momentum of the object, as per the impulse-momentum theorem. Here, the upward force of $6 , \text{N}$ for $0.20 , \text{s}$ results in an impulse magnitude of $1.2 , \text{N·s}$, independent of the ball's mass since initial velocity is zero. Choice D is a distractor as it might result from multiplying force by time incorrectly or confusing units. Remember to compute impulse directly as $F , \Delta t$ for constant forces to determine momentum changes accurately.
A $0.50,\text{kg}$ ball moving right at $8,\text{m/s}$ experiences a constant leftward force of $12,\text{N}$ for $0.25,\text{s}$. What is $\Delta \vec p$?
$-3.0,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the left
$+3.0,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the right
$-48,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the left
$-12,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the left
Explanation
This question assesses change in momentum from impulse in AP Physics 1. Impulse is force over time, providing the net effect that alters momentum. The impulse-momentum theorem links them directly: Δp⃗ = F⃗ Δt. The leftward -12 N force for 0.25 s yields Δp⃗ of -3.0 kg·m/s to the left, focusing only on the force applied. Choice C is a distractor, maybe from using initial momentum without the sign. Always isolate impulse calculation from initial conditions for accurate Δp⃗ determination.
A $2.0,\text{kg}$ cart experiences a constant force $\vec F$ to the left for $0.30,\text{s}$, giving an impulse of $-1.8,\text{N\cdot s}$. What is $F$?
$-0.54,\text{N}$ (left)
$-1.8,\text{N}$ (left)
$+6.0,\text{N}$ (right)
$-6.0,\text{N}$ (left)
Explanation
This problem evaluates finding force from given impulse in AP Physics 1. Impulse equals force multiplied by time for constant forces, embodying the cumulative impact. It corresponds to change in momentum, so J⃗ = F⃗ Δt = Δp⃗. With J = -1.8 N·s over 0.30 s, F = -6.0 N to the left. Choice D is a distractor, perhaps from confusing impulse with momentum units. Rearrange the impulse formula to solve for unknowns like force in such scenarios.
A $1.5,\text{kg}$ block moving left receives a rightward impulse of $3.0,\text{N\cdot s}$. Which statement about $\Delta \vec p$ is correct?
$\Delta \vec p$ is $2.0,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the right
$\Delta \vec p$ is $3.0,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the right
$\Delta \vec p$ is $3.0,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the left
$\Delta \vec p$ is $4.5,\text{kg\cdot m/s}$ to the right
Explanation
This question examines the relationship between impulse and change in momentum in AP Physics 1. Impulse is force applied over time, serving as a vector quantity that changes an object's momentum. The theorem equates impulse directly to Δp⃗, meaning the change matches the impulse's magnitude and direction. Thus, a rightward impulse of 3.0 N·s causes Δp⃗ of 3.0 kg·m/s to the right, irrespective of initial motion. Choice A is a distractor as it wrongly assigns a leftward direction, perhaps confusing with initial velocity. Consistently use Δp⃗ = J⃗ to handle direction correctly in momentum problems.
A ball experiences a constant upward force of $6,\text{N}$ for $0.20,\text{s}$. What is the impulse on the ball?
$30,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ upward
$6,\text{N}$ upward
$1.2,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ downward
$1.2,\text{N!\cdot!s}$ upward
Explanation
This question assesses the concept of change in momentum and impulse in AP Physics 1. Impulse represents the force applied over a specific time duration, calculated as J = F Δt. It is equivalent to the change in an object's momentum, Δp = m Δv, but when mass and velocity aren't provided, impulse directly gives Δp. Here, the 6 N upward force for 0.20 s yields an impulse of 1.2 N·s upward. Choice B incorrectly lists just the force without multiplying by time, a frequent mistake. To approach these, compute J = F Δt first and recognize it as Δp for transferable problem-solving.
A $1.0,\text{kg}$ cart receives a rightward impulse of $+0.60,\text{N\cdot s}$. If it was initially moving left, what is the direction of $\Delta \vec p$?
Right, because impulse and $\Delta \vec p$ have the same direction
Zero, because impulses cancel initial momentum
Cannot be determined without the cart’s speed
Left, because the cart was moving left initially
Explanation
This problem examines the direction of momentum change in AP Physics 1. Impulse is force over time, dictating the direction of momentum shift. Impulse equals Δp⃗, so directions match regardless of initial velocity. The rightward +0.60 N·s impulse means Δp⃗ is rightward. Choice A is a distractor, confusing initial motion with Δp direction. Focus on impulse direction alone to determine Δp⃗ in impulse-related questions.