Momentum and Impulse Lab

Front

What is momentum?

Back

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

Front

How is momentum calculated?

Back

Momentum (p) is calculated using the formula: p = mass (m) × velocity (v).

Front

What is impulse?

Back

Impulse is the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a period of time. It is also equal to the product of the average force and the time duration over which it acts.

Front

How is impulse calculated?

Back

Impulse (J) is calculated using the formula: J = Force (F) × Time (t).

Front

What is the relationship between impulse and momentum?

Back

Impulse is equal to the change in momentum of an object. This is expressed in the impulse-momentum theorem: J = Δp.

Front

What factors affect the momentum of an object?

Back

The momentum of an object is affected by its mass and velocity. Increasing either mass or velocity will increase momentum.

Front

What happens to momentum in a closed system?

Back

In a closed system, the total momentum before an event (like a collision) is equal to the total momentum after the event, according to the law of conservation of momentum.

Front

What is a perfectly elastic collision?

Back

A perfectly elastic collision is one in which both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

Front

What is a perfectly inelastic collision?

Back

A perfectly inelastic collision is one in which momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not. The objects stick together after the collision.

Front

How does mass affect momentum?

Back

For two objects moving at the same velocity, the object with greater mass will have greater momentum.