TOPIC 4

CONSERVATION OF
MOMENTUM
 The concept of inertia was
Momentum is conserved for all
introduced and developed both in
collisions as long as external forces terms of objects at rest and
don’t interfere. objects in motion. In this chapter
we are concerned only with the
concept of inertia in motion—
momentum.
Momentum

➢ A moving object can have a large

momentum if it has a large mass, a
high speed, or both.

It is harder to stop a large truck than a

small car when both are moving at the
same speed.
The truck has more momentum than the
car. By momentum, we mean inertia in
motion.
Momentum

Momentum
Linear momentum denoted by (P) the product of the mass and velocity of an object

p = mv
Recall Newton’s second law or law of acceleration.

∆𝑚𝑣Ԧ ∆𝑣Ԧ ∆𝑝Ԧ

𝑚
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡

Thus the second law can be expressed in terms of momentum.

Momentum
A truck rolling down a hill has more momentum than a roller skate with the same speed. But if
the truck is at rest and the roller skate moves, then the skate has more momentum.

Think!!!!
Can you think of a case where a roller skate and a truck would have the same momentum?

Answer:
the roller skate and truck can have the same momentum if the speed of the roller skate is
much greater than the speed of the truck.
Momentum

What factors affect an object’s momentum?

The change in momentum depends

on the force that acts and the length
of time it acts.

IMPULSE
Impulse

After integrating this equation over the limits pi to pf.

We get

This can also be expressed in terms of force

→ →
J =  p = F Δt

The greater the force acting on an object, the greater its change
in velocity and the greater its change in momentum.
Impulse

Impulse Changes Momentum Increasing Momentum

➢ To increase the momentum of an object, apply
➢ If the momentum of an object changes, the greatest force possible for as long as
either the mass or the velocity or both possible.
change.
➢ A golfer teeing off and a baseball player trying
➢ The greater the force acting on an for a home run do both of these things when
they swing as hard as possible and follow
object, the greater its change in velocity through with their swing.
and the greater its change in
momentum.
Impulse

Impulse denoted by the symbol (J) is just the change in momentum given as

impulse-momentum
theorem
Recall from second law
Impulse
Impulse Changes Momentum
• If the change in momentum occurs over a
Decreasing Momentum long time, the force of impact is small.

➢If you were in a car that was out of

control and had to choose between
hitting a haystack or a concrete
wall, you would choose the • If the change in momentum occurs over a
haystack. short time, the force of impact is large.

➢Physics helps you to understand

why hitting a soft object is entirely
different from hitting a hard one.
Impulse
Impulse Changes Momentum
When hitting either the wall or the
haystack and coming to a stop, the
momentum is decreased by the same
impulse.
• The same impulse does not mean
the same amount of force or the
same amount of time.
• It means the same product of
force and time.
• To keep the force small, we
extend the time.
Impulse
Impulse Changes Momentum

When you jump down to the ground, bend Airbags save lives.
your knees when your feet make contact
When you extend the time,
with the ground to extend the time during you reduce the force.
which your momentum decreases.
Impulse
Impulse Changes Momentum

To catch a fast-moving
ball, extend your hand
forward and move it
backward after making
contact with the ball.
Impulse

Impulse Changes Momentum

The impulse provided by a boxer’s jaw counteracts the momentum of the
punch.
a. The boxer moves away from the punch.
b. The boxer moves toward the punch. Ouch!
Impulse
Answer:
Think!!!! No. The impulse would be the
same for either surface
When a dish falls, will the because the same momentum
impulse be less if it lands change occurs for each. It is the
on a carpet than if it lands force that is less for the
on a hard floor? impulse on the carpet because
of the greater time of
momentum change.
Sample Problem (momentum)

A cement truck full of cement has a mass of 45,000 kg. it

travels north at a speed of 10 m/s.

a.Calculate the truck’s momentum.

b.How fast must a 650-kg car travel to have the same
momentum?
 Sample Problem (Impulse)
Suppose you throw a ball with a mass of 0.40 kg against a brick wall. It hits the wall
moving horizontally to the left at 30 m/s and rebounds horizontally to the right at 20
m/s.
a. Find the impulse of the net force on the ball during its collision with the wall.
b. If the ball is in contact with the wall for 0.010 s, find the average horizontal force
that the wall exerts on the ball during the impact.
𝑚
a. 𝑝1𝑥 = 𝑚𝑣1𝑥 = 0.40 𝑘𝑔 −30 = −12 𝑘𝑔 𝑚/𝑠
Before 𝑠
𝑣1𝑥 = −30 𝑚/𝑠 𝑚
𝑝2𝑥 = 𝑚𝑣2𝑥 = 0.40 𝑘𝑔 20 = 8.0 𝑘𝑔 𝑚/𝑠
𝑠
𝐽𝑥 = 𝑝2𝑥 − 𝑝1𝑥 = 20 𝑁𝑠

After 𝑣2𝑥 = +20 𝑚/𝑠

b. 𝐽𝑥 = 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑒 (𝑡2 −𝑡1 )
𝐽𝑥 20 𝑁 𝑠
𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = = 2000 𝑁
(𝑡2 −𝑡1 ) 0.010 𝑠
 Sample Problem (impulse)
A soccer ball has a mass of 0.40 kg. Initially it is moving to the
left at but then it is kicked. After the kick it is moving at 45°
upward and to the right with speed. Find the impulse of the net
force and the average net force, assuming a collision time ∆𝑡 =
0.010 𝑠.
Sample Problem (impulse)

ball’s velocity components

average net force components

impulse components

magnitude and direction

Conservation of Momentum

➢ In every case, the momentum of a

system cannot change unless it is acted
on by external forces.

➢ When any quantity in physics does not

change, we say it is conserved.
Conservation of Momentum

   
p1 + p2 = p1' + p2'
   
m1 v1 + m2 v 2 = m1 v1' + m2 v 2 '
Conservation of Momentum

➢ A cannon push back itself after firing.

➢The momentum before firing is zero.

After firing, the net momentum is still
zero because the momentum of the
cannon is equal and opposite to the
momentum of the cannonball.
Conservation of Momentum

➢the golf ball speed up (gains

momentum) and the club
slows down slightly (loses
momentum). The momentum
that the club loses is equal to
the momentum that the ball
gains.
Conservation of Momentum
Answer:
Think!!!! ➢ yes, because no
acceleration means that no
Newton’s second law change occurs in velocity or
states that if no net force in momentum
is exerted on a system, no ➢ no net force means there is
acceleration occurs. no net impulse and thus no
Does it follow that no change in momentum.
change in momentum
occurs?
Conservation of Momentum

Lets look at what happens to

the internal interaction during
collision

• Whenever objects collide in the absence of external forces, the net

momentum of the objects before the collision equals the net momentum
of the objects after the collision.
Conservation of Momentum

The internal energy is neglected during collision

dp → →
=  F = F int + F ext
dt
since  Fint = 0
dp
then =  Fext
dt
If the net external force is zero then we get

Which means that the total momentum is conserved.

Center of Mass
Center of mass is used to simplify the interaction of forces for a given object
with mass.
First we consider a system with two mass m1 and m2.
although the center of mass can be applied to multiple
mass system.

m1 x1 + m2 x2 m1 x1 + m2 x2
xCM = =
m1 + m2 M
As observed, the center of mass is dependent on
the lengths and masses of the system.
Center of Mass

Multiple mass system along x - axis Multiple mass system 2 dimension

m1 m2 m3 m4 m… mn m m m m
m m
m m
m m
n

m x
m
m1 x1 + m2 x2 +  + mn xn i=1
i i m
xCM = =
m1 + m2 + + mn M

xCM =
 mx
i i
y CM =
 my
i i

M M
Center of Mass

Multiple mass system 3 dimension In vector form

+y

xCM =
 mx i i
y CM =
 my
i i
zCM =
 mz i i
+x M M M

+z
Force

Rotates clockwise Rotates counterclockwise Direction with the force

Forces interacting with the system
• Internal forces - Fint
Recall from the vector form of the center of mass in a
• External forces - Fext
2 dimension with n particle system is given by
MrCM =  mi ri
 

drCM dri
M =  mi MvCM = mi v i
dt dt

dri
Where vi = dt , is the velocity of the ith particle of mass mi and
is the velocity of the center of mass (CM) of the body.
We differentiate this equation wrt to time t hence we get
dvCM
M =  mi ai
dt
Forces interacting with the system
dvCM
M =  mi ai
dt
dvi dvCM
a =
where i dt is the acceleration of the ith particle and dt = acm is the
acceleration of the center of mass (CM).
From Newton’s second law
Fi = mi ai
is the force exerted on the ith particle thus,

F i = F1 + F2 +  + Fn = MaCM
Where F1 and F2 are the external and internal forces respectively. Since from
previous discussion we discovered that the net internal is zero or cancels out
then,
Forces interacting with the system
 
MvCM =  mi v i
We can also rewrite this in terms of momentum
p = m1v1 + m2 v2 +  + mn vn =  pi

And from  Fext = MaCM we get p = MvCM

The newton’s second law for a system of particles

dp
=  Fext
dt
Elastic Collision
Elastic Collision

a. A moving ball strikes a ball at rest.

b. Two moving balls collide head-on.
c. Two balls moving in the same direction collide.
Elastic Collision in One Dimension

• When two bodies collide and both the momentum and energy are
conserved then it is called elastic collision.

Conservation of Momentum

m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v'1 + m2v2'

Conservation of Energy
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
m1 v 1 + m 2 v 2 = m1 v 1 ' + m 2 v 2 '
2 2 2 2
Inelastic Collision
Inelastic Collision

• When two bodies collide and only the momentum is

conserved then it is called an inelastic collision.

m1v1 + m2 v2 = ( m1 + m2 ) v where m1v1 + m2 v2

v=
m1 + m2
v = v1'= v2'
Collision in two or three Dimension

If the collision is elastic then

1 1 1
m1v1 = m1v1' + m 2v2'
2 2

To solve this write the conservation 2 2 2

of momentum along x and along y.
 Sample Problem (1D Elastic collision)
Two gliders move toward each other on a frictionless linear air
track. After they collide, the glider B moves away with a final
velocity of 2.0 m/s. What is the final velocity of glider A?

′ ′
𝑚𝐴 𝑣𝐴𝑥 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑣𝐵𝑥 = 𝑚𝐴 𝑣𝐴𝑥 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑣𝐵𝑥
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
′ 0.50 𝑘𝑔 2.0 + 0.30 𝑘𝑔 −2.0 − (0.30 𝑘𝑔)(2.0 )
′
𝑚𝐴 𝑣𝐴1𝑥 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑣𝐵𝑥 − 𝑚𝐵 𝑣𝐵𝑥 = 𝑠 𝑠 𝑠
𝑣𝐴𝑥 = 0.50 𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝐴
′
𝑣𝐴𝑥 = −0.40 𝑚/𝑠
 Sample Problem (1D Inelastic collision)
Suppose we repeat the collision described in previous example but this
time equip the gliders so that they stick together instead of bouncing
apart after they collide. Their masses and initial velocities are the same
as before. Find the final velocity.

𝑚𝐴 𝑣𝐴𝑥 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑣𝐵𝑥 = (𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 )𝑣𝑥′

𝑚 𝑚
𝑚𝐴 𝑣𝐴𝑥 + 𝑚𝐵 𝑣𝐵𝑥 (0.50 𝑘𝑔)(2.0
𝑠
) + (0.30 𝑘𝑔)(−2.0 )
𝑠
𝑣𝑥′ = =
(𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 ) (0.50 𝑘𝑔 + 0.30 𝑘𝑔)

𝑣𝑥′ = 0.50 𝑚/𝑠

Sample Problem (Inelastic collision)

A 15.0-kg fish swimming at 1.10 m/s suddenly gobbles

up a 4.50-kg fish that is initially stationary. Neglect
any drag effects of the water.
a. Find the speed of the large fish just after it eats
the small one?
b. How much mechanical energy was dissipated
during this meal?
More examples

On a greasy, essentially frictionless lunch counter, 1

0.1500 kg sandwich collides with an 0.250 kg cheese
moving 1.00 m/s to the right.
a. If the two stick together with a velocity of -0.5 m/s
after they collide, what was the initial velocity of the
sandwich?
b. How much kinetic energy dissipates in the
collision?
Exercise 3

A 2 kg toy car with a velocity of 5 m/s collides

elastically with a second toy car that has a velocity of
-2 m/s. After the collision, the 2 kg toy car has a
velocity of 3 m/s and the second car has a velocity of
2 m/s. What is the mass of the second car?
 Sample Problem (2D Elastic collision)
Two ice skaters, Daniel (mass 65.0 kg) and Daniel: 𝑣𝐷1𝑥 = 0 𝑣𝐷1𝑦 = 0
Rebecca (mass 45.0 kg) are practicing. Rebecca: 𝑣𝑅1𝑥 = 13.0 𝑚/𝑠 𝑣𝑅1𝑦 = 0
Daniel stops to his shoelace and while at 𝑚
𝑣𝑅2𝑥 = (8.0 )(cos 53.1°) = 4.80 𝑚/𝑠
rest, is struck by Rebecca, who is moving at 𝑠
𝑚
13.0m/s before she collides with him. After 𝑣𝑅2𝑦 = (8.0 )(sin 53.1°) = 6.40 𝑚/𝑠
𝑠
the collision Rebecca has a velocity of
𝑣𝐷2𝑥 = ? 𝑣𝐷2𝑦 = ?
magnitude 8.0 m/s at an angle of 53.1°
from her initial direction. Both skaters 𝑚𝑅 𝑣𝑅1𝑥 = 𝑚𝑅 𝑣𝑅2𝑥 + 𝑚𝐷 𝑣𝐷2𝑥
move in the frictionless horizontal surface 𝑚𝑅 𝑣𝑅1𝑥 − 𝑚𝑅 𝑣𝑅2𝑥
𝑣𝐷2𝑥 =
of the rink. 𝑚𝐷
𝑚 𝑚
45.0 𝑘𝑔(13.0 𝑠 − 4.80 𝑠 )
What are the magnitude and direction of 𝑣𝐷2𝑥 =
65.0 𝑘𝑔
Daniel’s velocity after collision? 𝑣𝐷2𝑥 = 5.68 𝑚/𝑠
 Sample Problem (2D Elastic collision)
Two ice skaters, Daniel (mass 65.0 kg) and 𝑣 = ?
𝐷2𝑦
Rebecca (mass 45.0 kg) are practicing.
Daniel stops to his shoelace and while at 0 = 𝑚𝑅 𝑣𝑅2𝑦 + 𝑚𝐷 𝑣𝐷2𝑦
𝑚
rest, is struck by Rebecca, who is moving at −𝑚𝑅 𝑣𝑅2𝑦 −45.0 𝑘𝑔(6.40 )
𝑠
13.0m/s before she collides with him. After 𝑣𝐷2𝑦 = 𝑚𝐷 = 65.0 𝑘𝑔
the collision Rebecca has a velocity of
magnitude 8.0 m/s at an angle of 53.1° 𝑣𝐷2𝑦 = −4.43 𝑚/𝑠
from her initial direction. Both skaters
move in the frictionless horizontal surface magnitude 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑣𝐷2𝑥 2 2
+ 𝑣𝐷2𝑦
of the rink.
= 7.20 m/s 𝑣 𝑅2

direction
What are the magnitude and direction of θ
𝑣𝑅1

−1
4.43 𝑚/𝑠
Daniel’s velocity after collision? θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 38.0° 𝑣𝐷2
5.68 𝑚/𝑠
 Sample Problem (2D Inelastic collision)
Two pucks on a horizontal air table have
attracting magnets. They are initially
𝑣𝑦′ = (1.20 m/s) sin 33°
positioned very far from each other so that
𝑣 ′ = 1.22 𝑚/𝑠
m1+m2
no attraction occurs. The two were given a
m1
push and collide. The pucks end up moving 𝑣1𝑥 = 0.6 𝑚/𝑠
33° 𝑣𝑥′ = (1.20 m/s) cos 33°
𝜃 =?
at 1.20 m/s, 33° above the horizontal after
the collision as shown in Figure 3. Initially, 𝑣2 =?

the first puck with mass m1 = 5.0 g slides m2

with a velocity 0.60 m/s due east.

(a)What is the initial velocity (magnitude
and direction) of the second puck (m2 =
6.0 g)?
Sample Problem (2D Inelastic collision)

Along x:
𝑣𝑦′ = (1.20 m/s) sin 33°
𝑚1 𝑣1𝑥 + 𝑚2 𝑣2𝑥 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑣𝑥′
𝑣 ′ = 1.22 𝑚/𝑠
m1+m2
(𝑚1 +𝑚2 )𝑣𝑥′ − 𝑚1 𝑣1𝑥
m1 𝑣2𝑥 =
𝑣1𝑥 = 0.6 𝑚/𝑠
33° 𝑣𝑥′ = (1.20 m/s) cos 33° 𝑚2
𝜃 =?
𝑣2𝑥
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣2 =? 5.0 𝑔 + 6.0 𝑔 1.20 𝑠 cos 33° − 5.0𝑔(0.60 𝑠 )
=
m2 6.0 𝑔
𝑣2𝑥 = 1.345 𝑚/𝑠
Sample Problem (2D Inelastic collision)

Along y:
𝑣𝑦′ = (1.20 m/s) sin 33° 𝑚1 𝑣1𝑦 + 𝑚2 𝑣2𝑦 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑣𝑦′
𝑣 ′ = 1.22 𝑚/𝑠
m1+m2
(𝑚1 +𝑚2 )𝑣𝑦′
m1 𝑣2𝑦 =
𝑣1𝑥 = 0.6 𝑚/𝑠
33° 𝑣𝑥′ = (1.20 m/s) cos 33° 𝑚2
𝜃 =? 𝑚
5.0 𝑔 + 6.0 𝑔 1.20 𝑠 sin 33°
𝑣2 =? 𝑣2𝑦 =
6.0 𝑔
m2 𝑣2𝑦 = 1.198 𝑚/𝑠
2 2
𝑣2 = 𝑣2𝑥 + 𝑣2𝑦
Magnitude Direction
2 2 1.198 𝑚Τ𝑠
𝑣2 = 1.345 𝑚/𝑠 + 1.198 𝑚/𝑠 𝜃= tan−1
1.345 𝑚Τ𝑠
𝑣2 = 1.801 𝑚Τ𝑠 𝜃
 Sample Problem (2D Inelastic collision)
(b) What is the change in kinetic energy of the system of two pucks as a result of
the collision?

1 1
𝐾 = 𝑚1 𝑣12 + 𝑚2 𝑣22 𝐾′ = 𝑚1 + 𝑚2 𝑣 ′2
2 2
1 𝑚 2 𝑚 2
1 𝑚 2
𝐾= 0.005 𝑘𝑔 0.60 + 0.006 𝑘𝑔 1.801 ′
2 𝑠 𝑠 𝐾 = 0.005 𝑘𝑔 + 0.006 𝑘𝑔 1.20
2 𝑠

𝐾 = 0.0106 𝐽
∆𝐾 = 𝐾 ′ − 𝐾 = −2.68 𝑥 10−3 𝐽

𝐾′ = 7.92 𝑥 10−3 𝐽
Exercise

Figure shows an elastic collision of two pucks on a frictionless air-hockey table. Puck A has
mass = 0.500 kg and puck B has mass = 0.300 kg. Puck A has an initial velocity of 4.00 m/s
in the positive x-direction and a final velocity of 2.00 m/s in an unknown direction. Puck B
is initially at rest. Find the final speed of puck B and the angles α and β.