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Faculty of Engineering
Physics 101

Linear Momentum and Collisions

Dr. Mustafa Tokaç

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Outline
Conservation of Energy
Momentum
Impulse
Conservation of Momentum
1-D Collisions
2-D Collisions
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Conservation of Energy
• D E = D K + D U = 0 if conservative forces are the only forces that do
work on the system.
• The total amount of energy in the system is constant.
1 2 1 1 1
mv f + mgy f + kx2f = mv i2 + mgy i + kxi2
2 2 2 2

• D E = D K + D U = -fk d if friction forces are doing work on the system.

• The total amount of energy in the system is still constant, but the
change in mechanical energy goes into “internal energy” or heat.

1 1  1 1 
− f k d =  mv2f + mgy f + kx2f  −  mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 
2 2  2 2 
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Linear Momentum
• This is a new fundamental quantity, like force,
energy. It is a vector quantity (points in same
direction as velocity).
• The linear momentum p of an object of mass
m moving with a velocity v is defined to be
the product of the mass and velocity:
 
p = mv
• The terms momentum and linear momentum
will be used interchangeably in the text
• Momentum depend on an object’s mass and
velocity
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Linear Momentum
• Linear momentum is a vector quantity p = mv
• Its direction is the same as the direction of the velocity

• The SI unit of momentum is kg.m/s

• Momentum can be expressed in component form:

px = mvx py = mvy pz = mvz

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Newton’s Law and Momentum

Newton’s Second Law can be used to relate the
momentum of an object to the resultant force acting
on it
  
 Dv D(mv )
Fnet = ma = m =
Dt Dt

The change in an object’s momentum divided by the

elapsed time equals the constant net force acting on
the object
 
Dp change in momentum
= = Fnet
Dt time interval
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Impulse
• When a single, constant force acts on the object, there is an
impulse delivered to the object
 
I = FDt
• I is defined as the impulse

• The equality is true even if the force is not constant

• Vector quantity, the direction is the same as the direction

of the force 
Dp change in momentum 
= = Fnet
Dt time interval
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Impulse-Momentum Theorem
• The theorem states that the
impulse acting on a system
is equal to the change in
momentum of the system
  
Dp = Fnet Dt = I

   
I = Dp = mv f − mvi
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Calculating the Change of Momentum

Dp = pafter − pbefore
= mvafter − mvbefore
= m(vafter − vbefore )

For the teddy bear Dp = m 0 − (−v) = mv

For the bouncing ball Dp = m v − (−v) = 2mv

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How Good Are the Bumpers?
In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 x 103 kg collides with a wall and rebounds as in figure. The
initial and final velocities of the car are vi=-15 m/s and vf = 2.6 m/s, respectively. If the
collision lasts for 0.15 s, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision
(b) the size and direction of the average force exerted on the car
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How Good Are the Bumpers?
In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 x 103 kg collides with a wall and rebounds as in figure. The
initial and final velocities of the car are vi=-15 m/s and vf = 2.6 m/s, respectively. If the
collision lasts for 0.15 s, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision
(b) the size and direction of the average force exerted on the car

pi = mv i = (1.5 10 3 kg)(−15 m / s ) = −2.25 10 4 kg  m / s

p f = mvf = (1.5 103 kg)(+2.6m / s) = +0.39 104 kg  m / s

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How Good Are the Bumpers?
In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 x 103 kg collides with a wall and rebounds as in figure. The
initial and final velocities of the car are vi=-15 m/s and vf = 2.6 m/s, respectively. If the
collision lasts for 0.15 s, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision
(b) the size and direction of the average force exerted on the car

pi = mv i = (1.5 10 3 kg)(−15 m / s ) = −2.25 10 4 kg  m / s

p f = mvf = (1.5 103 kg)(+2.6m / s) = +0.39 104 kg  m / s

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How Good Are the Bumpers?
In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 x 103 kg collides with a wall and rebounds as in figure. The
initial and final velocities of the car are vi=-15 m/s and vf = 2.6 m/s, respectively. If the
collision lasts for 0.15 s, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision
(b) the size and direction of the average force exerted on the car

pi = mv i = (1.5 10 3 kg)(−15 m / s ) = −2.25 10 4 kg  m / s

p f = mvf = (1.5 103 kg)(+2.6m / s) = +0.39 104 kg  m / s

I = p f − pi = mv f − mvi
= (0.39 104 kg  m / s) − (−2.25 104 kg  m / s)
= 2.64 104 kg  m / s
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How Good Are the Bumpers?
In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 x 103 kg collides with a wall and rebounds as in figure. The
initial and final velocities of the car are vi=-15 m/s and vf = 2.6 m/s, respectively. If the
collision lasts for 0.15 s, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision
(b) the size and direction of the average force exerted on the car

pi = mv i = (1.5 10 3 kg)(−15 m / s ) = −2.25 10 4 kg  m / s

p f = mvf = (1.5 103 kg)(+2.6m / s) = +0.39 104 kg  m / s

I = p f − pi = mv f − mvi
= (0.39 104 kg  m / s) − (−2.25 104 kg  m / s)
= 2.64 104 kg  m / s

Dp I 2.64 10 4 kg  m / s
Fav = = = = 1.76 10 5 N
Dt Dt 0.15 s
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Impulse-Momentum Theorem
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Impulse-Momentum Theorem
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Conservation of Momentum

In an isolated and closed system, the

total momentum of the system
remains constant in time.

• Isolated system: no external forces

• Closed system: no mass enters or leaves
• The linear momentum of each colliding
body may change
• The total momentum P of the system
cannot change.
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Conservation of Momentum
• Start from impulse-momentum theorem
  
F21Dt = m1v1 f − m1v1i
  
F12Dt = m2v2 f − m2v2i

 
• Since F21Dt = − F12Dt

   
• Then m1v1 f − m1v1i = −(m2 v2 f − m2 v2i )

• So    
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
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Conservation of Momentum
• When no external forces act on a system consisting of two objects
that collide with each other, the total momentum of the system
remains constant in time
   
Fnet Dt = Dp = p f − pi
 
• When net
F = 0 then Dp = 0
• For an isolated system
 
p f = pi

• Specifically, the total momentum before the collision will equal the
total momentum after the collision
   
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
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The Archer
An archer stands at rest on frictionless ice and fires a 0.5-kg arrow
horizontally at 50.0 m/s. The combined mass of the archer and bow is
60.0 kg. With what velocity does the archer move across the ice after
firing the arrow?
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The Archer
An archer stands at rest on frictionless ice and fires a 0.5-kg arrow
horizontally at 50.0 m/s. The combined mass of the archer and bow is
60.0 kg. With what velocity does the archer move across the ice after
firing the arrow?

pi = p f

m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

m1 = 60 .0kg, m2 = 0.5kg, v1i = v2i = 0, v2 f = 50 m / s, v1 f = ?

0 = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

m2 0.5kg
v1 f = − v2 f = − (50.0m / s) = −0.417m / s
m1 60.0kg
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Types of Collisions
• Momentum is conserved in any collision

Inelastic collisions: rubber ball and hard ball

• Kinetic energy is not conserved
• Perfectly inelastic collisions occur when the objects stick together

Elastic collisions: billiard ball

• both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved

!!! Actual collisions – Most collisions fall between elastic and

perfectly inelastic collisions
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Collisions Summary
In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved

In a non-perfect inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is

NOT. Moreover, the objects do not stick together

In a perfectly inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, kinetic energy is not, and

the two objects stick together after the collision, so their final velocities are the same

Elastic and perfectly inelastic collisions are limiting cases, most actual collisions fall
in between these two types

Momentum is conserved in all collisions

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More about Perfectly Inelastic Collisions
When two objects stick together after the
collision, they have undergone a perfectly
inelastic collision

Conservation of momentum

m1v1i + m2 v2 i = ( m1 + m2 )v f

m1v1i + m2 v2i
vf =
m1 + m2

Kinetic energy is NOT conserved

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An SUV Vs a Compact
An SUV with mass 1.8 x 103 kg is travelling eastbound
at +15.0 m/s, while a compact car with mass 9 x 102 kg
is travelling westbound at –15.0 m/s. The cars collide
head-on, becoming entangled.

a) Find the speed of the entangled cars after the collision.

b) Find the change in the velocity of each car.
c) Find the change in the kinetic energy of the system
consisting of both cars.
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An SUV Vs a Compact
An SUV with mass 1.8 x 103 kg is travelling eastbound
at +15.0 m/s, while a compact car with mass 9 x 102 kg
is travelling westbound at –15.0 m/s. The cars collide
head-on, becoming entangled.

a) Find the speed of the entangled cars after the collision.

m1 = 1.80 10 3 kg, v1i = +15m / s
m2 = 9.00 10 2 kg, v2i = −15 m / s

pi = p f
m1v1i + m2v2i
m1v1i + m2 v2i = (m1 + m2 )v f vf = v f = +5.00 m / s
m1 + m2
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An SUV Vs a Compact
An SUV with mass 1.8 x 103 kg is travelling eastbound
at +15.0 m/s, while a compact car with mass 9 x 102 kg
is travelling westbound at –15.0 m/s. The cars collide
head-on, becoming entangled.

b) Find the change in the velocity of each car.

m1 = 1.80 10 3 kg, v1i = +15m / s
v f = +5.00 m / s
m2 = 9.00 10 2 kg, v2i = −15 m / s

Dv1 = v f − v1i = −10 .0m / s m1Dv1 = m1 (v f − v1i ) = −1.8 104 kg  m / s

Dv2 = v f − v2i = +20 .0m / s m2 Dv2 = m2 (v f − v2i ) = +1.8 104 kg  m / s
m1Dv1 + m2 Dv2 = 0
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An SUV Vs a Compact
An SUV with mass 1.8 x 103 kg is travelling eastbound
at +15.0 m/s, while a compact car with mass 9 x 102 kg
is travelling westbound at –15.0 m/s. The cars collide
head-on, becoming entangled.

c) Find the change in the kinetic energy of the system

consisting of both cars.
m1 = 1.80 10 3 kg, v1i = +15m / s
v f = +5.00 m / s
m2 = 9.00 10 2 kg, v2i = −15 m / s

1 1 1 1
KEi = m1v1i + m2v22i = 3.04 10 5 J
2
KE f = m1v1 f + m2v22 f = 3.38 10 4 J
2

2 2 2 2
DKE = KE f − KEi = −2.70 105 J
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Collision of a bullet
Bullet shown in the picture collides to a
fixed block.0, 2 s is the interaction time
of bullet with block. If the velocity of the
bullet is 250m/s after the collision, find
the resistance of the block to the bullet
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Collision of a bullet
Bullet shown in the picture collides to a
fixed block.0, 2 s is the interaction time
of bullet with block. If the velocity of the
bullet is 250m/s after the collision, find
the resistance of the block to the bullet

   
Fnet Dt = Dp = p f − pi

force that block apply to bullet.

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More about Elastic Collisions
Both momentum and kinetic energy are
conserved

m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

1 1 1 1
m1v12i + m2 v22i = m1v12f + m2 v22 f
2 2 2 2

Typically have two unknowns

Momentum is a vector quantity
• Direction is important
• Be sure to have the correct signs
Solve the equations simultaneously
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Elastic Collisions
A simpler equation can be used in place of the KE equation

1 1 1 1
m1v1i + m2 v2 i = m1v1 f + m2 v22 f
2 2 2

2 2 2 2
m1 (v12i − v12f ) = m2 (v22 f − v22i )
v − v = −( v − v )
m1 (v1i − v11 fi )( v1i + v21if ) = m2 (v2 f1−f v2 i )( v22f f+ v2 i )

m1v1i + m2 v2 i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f m1 (v1i − v1 f ) = m2 (v2 f − v2 i )

v1i + v1 f = v2 f + v2 i m1v1i + m2 v2 i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

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Summary of Types of Collisions
• In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

v1i + v1 f = v2 f + v2 i m1v1i + m2 v2 i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

• In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is NOT.

m1v1i + m2 v2 i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

• In a perfectly inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, kinetic energy is

NOT, and the two objects stick together after the collision, so their final
velocities are the same.
m1v1i + m2 v2 i = ( m1 + m2 )v f
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Example
A 10 kg object is sitting on a table. Suddenly it explodes,
breaking up into two pieces. One piece has a mass of 4.0
kg and went toward the right with a velocity of 21 m/s.
What was the velocity of the other piece?
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Example
A 10 kg object is sitting on a table. Suddenly it explodes,
breaking up into two pieces. One piece has a mass of 4.0
kg and went toward the right with a velocity of 21 m/s.
What was the velocity of the other piece?
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Example
Find the recoil velocity of a 70.0-kg ice
hockey player, originally at rest, who
catches a 0.150-kg hockey puck
slapped at him at a velocity of 35.0 m/s.
How much kinetic energy is lost during
the collision? Assume friction between
the ice and the player is negligible.
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Example
Find the recoil velocity of a 70.0-kg ice
hockey player, originally at rest, who
catches a 0.150-kg hockey puck
slapped at him at a velocity of 35.0 m/s.
How much kinetic energy is lost during
the collision? Assume friction between
the ice and the player is negligible.
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Two-Dimensional Collisions
For a general collision of two objects in two-dimensional space, the
conservation of momentum principle implies that the total momentum
of the system in each direction is conserved

m1v1ix + m2 v2ix = m1v1 fx + m2 v2 fx

m1v1iy + m2 v2iy = m1v1 fy + m2 v2 fy
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Two-Dimensional Collisions
• The momentum is conserved in all directions
• Use subscripts for
• Identifying the object m1v1ix + m2 v2ix = m1v1 fx + m2 v2 fx
• Indicating initial or final values m1v1iy + m2 v2iy = m1v1 fy + m2 v2 fy
• The velocity components

• If the collision is elastic, use conservation of

kinetic energy as a second equation
• Remember, the simpler equation can only be used
for one-dimensional situations v1i + v1 f = v2 f + v2 i
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Glancing Collisions

The “after” velocities have x and y components m1v1ix + m2 v2ix = m1v1 fx + m2 v2 fx

Momentum is conserved in the x direction and in the y direction
m1v1iy + m2 v2iy = m1v1 fy + m2 v2 fy
Apply conservation of momentum separately to each direction
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2-D Collision, example

• Particle 1 is moving at
velocity v1i and particle 2 is at
rest

• In the x-direction, the initial

momentum is m1v1i

• In the y-direction, the initial

momentum is 0
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2-D Collision, example
• After the collision, the momentum in
the x-direction is m1v1f cos q + m2v2f cos f
• After the collision, the momentum in
the y-direction is m1v1f sin q + m2v2f sin f

m1v1i + 0 = m1v1 f cos q + m2 v2 f cos f

0 + 0 = m1v1 f sin q − m2 v2 f sin f

• If the collision is elastic, apply the

kinetic energy equation

1 1 1
m1v1i = m1v1 f + m2 v22 f
2 2

2 2 2
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Collision at an Intersection
A car with mass 1.5 × 103 kg traveling east at a speed of 25 m/s
collides at an intersection with a 2.5 × 103 kg van traveling north
at a speed of 20 m/s. Find the magnitude and direction of the
velocity of the wreckage after the collision, assuming that the
vehicles undergo a perfectly inelastic collision and assuming that
friction between the vehicles and the road can be neglected.

mc = 1.5 10 3 kg, mv = 2.5 10 3 kg

vcix = 25 m / s, vviy = 20 m / s, v f = ?q = ?
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Collision at an Intersection
A car with mass 1.5 × 103 kg traveling east at a speed of 25 m/s
collides at an intersection with a 2.5 × 103 kg van traveling north
at a speed of 20 m/s. Find the magnitude and direction of the
velocity of the wreckage after the collision, assuming that the
vehicles undergo a perfectly inelastic collision and assuming that
friction between the vehicles and the road can be neglected.

mc = 1.5 10 3 kg, mv = 2.5 10 3 kg

vcix = 25 m / s, vviy = 20 m / s, v f = ?q = ?

p xi = mc vcix + mv vvix = mc vcix = 3.75104 kg  m/s p yi = mc vciy + mv vviy = mv vviy = 5.00 104 kg  m/s

p xf = mc vcfx + mv vvfx = (mc + mv )v f cosq p yf = mc vcfy + mv vvfy = (mc + mv )v f sin q

3.75104 kg  m/s = (4.00 103 kg)v f cosq 5.00 104 kg  m/s = (4.00 103 kg)v f sin q
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Collision at an Intersection
A car with mass 1.5 × 103 kg traveling east at a speed of 25 m/s
collides at an intersection with a 2.5 × 103 kg van traveling north
at a speed of 20 m/s. Find the magnitude and direction of the
velocity of the wreckage after the collision, assuming that the
vehicles undergo a perfectly inelastic collision and assuming that
friction between the vehicles and the road can be neglected.

mc = 1.5 10 3 kg, mv = 2.5 10 3 kg 5.00 104 kg  m/s = (4.00 103 kg)v f sin q
vcix = 25 m / s, vviy = 20 m / s, v f = ?q = ? 3.75104 kg  m/s = (4.00 103 kg)v f cosq

5.00 10 4 kg  m / s 5.00 10 4 kg  m/s

tan q = = 1.33 q = tan −1 (1.33) = 53 .1 vf = = 15 .6 m/s
3.75 10 kg  m / s
4
(4.00 10 3 kg ) sin 53 .1
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Example
A 0.5 kg hockey puck is initially moving in the negative y-direction as shown with
a speed of 7 m/s. If a hockey player hits the puck giving it a velocity of magnitude
12 m/s in a direction of 60º to the vertical, and if the collision lasts for 0.008 s, find
the impulse due to the collision and the average force exerted on the puck.
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Example
A 0.5 kg hockey puck is initially moving in the negative y-direction as shown with
a speed of 7 m/s. If a hockey player hits the puck giving it a velocity of magnitude
12 m/s in a direction of 60º to the vertical, and if the collision lasts for 0.008 s, find
the impulse due to the collision and the average force exerted on the puck.
 M.T.
Example
A 0.5 kg hockey puck is initially moving in the negative y-direction as shown with
a speed of 7 m/s. If a hockey player hits the puck giving it a velocity of magnitude
12 m/s in a direction of 60º to the vertical, and if the collision lasts for 0.008 s, find
the impulse due to the collision and the average force exerted on the puck.
 M.T.
Example
A 0.5 kg hockey puck is initially moving in the negative y-direction as shown with
a speed of 7 m/s. If a hockey player hits the puck giving it a velocity of magnitude
12 m/s in a direction of 60º to the vertical, and if the collision lasts for 0.008 s, find
the impulse due to the collision and the average force exerted on the puck.