Linier Momentum and Impulse

I. Linier momentum (simply called momentum) of a body refers to the product of the body’s
mass and its velocity. The direction of momentum is the same as the direction of its velocity.
Symbol = p, and its SI unit = kg m/s
A vector quantity mathematically written: p = mv
m  mass (kg) and v  velocity (m/s)
If a force(F) is applied to a body with the mass of m, then Newton’s 2nd law holds: F = ma.
However, a =
∆V
∆t
, so that we get F = ma into F = m
∆V
∆t
=m[ v 2−v 1
t 2−t 1] =
mv 2−mv 1
t 2−t 1
which
P 2−P1 ∆ P
means F = = . We can convert it to p = Ft.
t 2−t 1 ∆t

II. The impulse is the product between F and t. From this, we can assume the unit of impulse is
Ns. Ns = kg m/s
I = Ft, F = force(N),  = difference of time (s)
I = p

Work Example

1. A wagon with a 15kg mass moves at the velocity of 0.25m/s towards a concrete wall. At the
same time, a bullet of 10g is fired at the velocity of 1,000m/s towards said wall. Calculate:
momentum of the wagon and bullet. Given: mw = 15kg, mb = 10-2kg or 0.01kg, vw = 0.25m/s,
vb = 1,000m/s.
pw = mwvw = 15 x 0.25  3.75kg m/s & pb = mbvb = 10-2 x 1,000  10kg m/s

2. A clown (you) who weighs 70kg is free-falling from a height of 3m. Find:
a) the impulse experienced by the clown
b) the force given by their legs when they’re landing with the bending knees so that the
distance covered, which is measured from the first time they touched the ground until
they completely stop, is 50cm.
Given: m = 70kg, h = 3m
v = √ 2 gh=√ 2 x 10 x 3=7.7 m/s

When they landed, their momentum changed to 0, thus the I = p = p2 – p1 = mv2 – mv1
= (70x0) – (70x7.7) = -539kg m/s
Lending with the bending knees means that the body is decelerated from 7.7m/s to 0
7.7+0 m
within d= 50cm. The average speed during the time interval is v = =3.8 .
2 s
d 0.5
t = = =0.13 s
v 3.8

I = Ft
 1 −539
F= = =−4,146.15 N
∆ t 0.13

3. A force of 70N is applied to a body for 0.8 s, determine the impulse experienced by said body.
Given: F = 70N, t = 0.8s
I = Ft = 70 x 0.8  56 Ns

4. A 0.25kg golf ball in an initial idle is hit to the point of having the velocity of 60m/s. The
interval time the ball is hit by a bat is 0.05s. Determine: impulse & average force of the ball,
Given: m = 0.25kg. v1 = 0, v2 = 60m/s, t = 0.05s
I = ∆ p=p 2− p1=mv 2−mv 1=( 0.25 x 60 )−( 0.25 x 0 )=15 kg m/s
! 15
I = Ft so F = = =300 N
∆ t 0.05

III. The Law of Momentum Conservation holds an important role in a collision process. The law
states that:
“The sum of momentum before a collision is equal to the sum of momentum after a collision.”

E.g.
2 balls with masses, m1 and m2, are moving in opposite direction in a straight line with the
velocity, v1 and v2, respectively. Having collided, their velocities become v1’ and v2’.

The sum of momentum of both balls before colliding is p = p1 + p2 = m1v1 + m2v2

The sum of momentum of both balls after colliding is p’ = p1’ + p2’ = m1v1’+ m2v2’

Based on the law of momentum conservation, p = p’. Thus, m 1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1’ + m2v2’.
The law of momentum conservation holds only if the sum of the external forces working on
the colliding bodies = 0.

Work Example

1. A train coach with a 10,000kg mass runs with a speed of 24m/s to the right. The train coach
collides with a similar coach with is initially at rest. If the 2 coaches are at contact as the result
of a collision, what is their velocity after colliding? Given: m1 = 10,000kg, v1 = 24m/s, m1 =
1,000kg, v2 = 0m/s
v1 = v2’ = v’ =?
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1’ + m2v2’
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v’ + m2v’
(10,000 x 24) + (10,000 x 0) = (10,000v’ + 10,000v’)
240,000 = 20,000v’
v’ = 12m/s
After colliding, both coaches move together to the right with the velocity of 12m/s.
 2. 2kg ball, 1, moves to the right with 10m/s velocity. Ball 1 collides with a 3kg Ball 2 that moves
in the same direction with 4m/s velocity. After colliding, the velocity of Ball 1 to the right. Find
the velocity of Ball 2 after colliding.
Given: m1 = 5kg, v1 = 10m/s, m2 = 3kg, v2 = 4m/s
After colliding: v1’ = 2m/s

m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1’ + m2v2’

(5 x 10) + (3 x 12) = (5 x 2) + 3v2’
50 + 12 =10 + 3v2’
3v2’ = 52
V2’ =17.3 m/s

3. A 1kg body moves on the positive x-axis at 2m/s. Another body with a 2kg mass moves at
2m/s in the opposite direction. After colliding, they move together. Find the velocity and
direction of both bodies? Given: m1 = 1kg, v1 = 2m/s, m2 = 2kg, v2 = -2m/s

1KG 2KG
V1’ = V2’ = V’ =?
M1V1 + M2V2 = M1V1’ + M2V2’
(1 x 2) + (2 x -2) = 1 x V’ + 2v’
2–4 = 3V’
−2 −2
V’ = m/s Thus, after colliding, both move at m/s to the negative x-axis.
3 3

4. Object A is a 5kg baby monster truck tire and moves at 10m/s. Object B is a 10kg bowling ball
that moves at 15m/s. After some time, B collides with A so that the velocity of A after colliding
is 12m/s. Calculate the velocity of B after collision. Ma =5kg, Va = 10m/s, Mb = 10kg, Mb =
15m/s, Va’ = 12m/s
MaVa + MbVb = MaVa’ + MbVb’
(5 x 10) + (10 x 15) = (5 x 12) + 10V2’
200 – 60 = 10V2’
V2’ = 14m/s

IV. The collision between 2 objects can be distinguished into several kinds, those being:
The difference of all 3 can be found in the value of coefficient elasticity (coefficient of
'
V 1 −V 2 '
restitution) of 2 object colliding. e = , where e is the coefficient of elasticity
V 1−V 2
(coefficient of restitution) (0<e<1).
 Perfectly elastic collision
  The collision between 2 objects is said to be perfectly elastic. If the total mechanical
V 1' −V 2 '
energy before and after collision is constant, e =- =1
V 1−V 2
E.g. Determine the velocity of both objects after collision. Given: e =1

A B

Va = 1m/s Vb = - 2m/s
Ma = 4kg Mb = 2kg
MaVa + MbVb = MaVa’ + MbVb’
(4 x 1) + (2 x - 2) = 4Va’ + 2Vb’
0 = 4Va’ + 2Vb’
2Va’ + Vb’ = 0…
−V a' −V b'
e= =1
Va−Vb
' '
−V a −V b
= =1
1−−2
'
−V a −Vb '
= =1
3
= -(Va’ – Vb’) = -3
= Va’ – Vb’ = 3…
2Va’ – Vb = 0 Va’ = -1m/s
-Va’ – Vb = 3 - Vb’ = 2m/s
3Va’ = -3

 Non-elastic collision/ inelastic collision

 2 objects colliding are said to be non-elastic if after colliding, the objects merge and
have the same velocity.
 V1’ = V2’ = V’
−(V 1' −V 2' )
 M1V1 + M2V2= (m1 + m2)v’ so e = =0
V 1−V 2
 Partially elastic collision
 The kinetic energy conservation law isn’t valid because of a change of kinetic
energy before and after colliding. 0<e<1

Work Example
a) 2 watermelons of 2kg & 3kg move in opposite direction, each velocity is 3m/s & 2m/s. Find
the velocity of both watermelons if the collision is perfectly elastic. Given: m 1 = 2kg, v1 =
3m/s, m2 = 3kg, v2 = -2m/s
M1V1 + M2V2 = M1V1’ + M2V2’ 0 = 2v1’ + 3v2’  2v1’ + 3v2’ = 0…
(2 x 3) + (3 x (-2)) = 2v1’ + 3v2’
 ' ' '
−(V a −V b ) −V a + Vb'
e= =1 e= =1
Va−Vb 5
'
−V a + Vb' e = -V1’ + V2’ = 5…
e= =1
3−−2

2v1’ + 3v2’ = 0…  2V1’ + 3V2’ = 0

-V1’ + V2’ = 5…  -2V1’ + 2V2’ = 10 +
5V2’ = 10
V2’ = 2m/s
2v1’ + 3(2) = 0
2v1’ = -6
V1’ = -3m/s
b) A 5kg dictionary book moves rightwards at 5m/s then the opposite direction, another 7kg
textbook moves at 10m/s. Both books collide in a non-elastic collision, what are their
velocities after colliding? Given: m1 = 5kg, v1 = +5m/s, m2 = 7kg, v2 = -10m/s,
v1’ = v2’ = v’
m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1 + m2)v’
(5 x 5) + (7 x (-10)) = (5 + 7)v’
-45 = 12v’
v’ = -3.75m/s Both books move together leftwards at 3.75 m/s.

c) Lost luggage X of 4kg moves rightward at 10m/s. Lost luggage Y of 2kg moves at 20m/s at
the same direction. If the collision is partially elastic and e = 0.8, find their velocities & the
kinetic energy that decreases. Given: mx = 4kg, vx = 10m/s, my = 2kg, vy = 20m/s, e = 0.8
' '
mxvx + myvy = mxvx’ + myvy’ −(V x −V y )
e= =0.8
(4 x 10) + (2 x 20) = 4vx’ + 2vy’ 10−20
80 = 4vx’ + 2vy’ −V x ' +Vy '
4vx’ + 2vy’ = 80… e= = 0.8
−10
e = vx’ - vy’ = 8…
−( V x' −V y ' )
e= =0.8
Vx−Vy
4vx’ + 2vy’ = 80 [ x 1] 4vx’ + 2vy’ = 80
vx’ - vy’ = 8 [ x 2] 2vx’ - 2vy’ = 16 +
6vx’ = 96
Vx’ = 16m/s
Vy’ = 8m/s
Note: Ek = ½ mv2
Ek = Ekinitial – Ekfinal

Ek = ( 12 MxV x + 12 MyV y )−( 12 MxV x + 12 MyV y )

2 2 ' 2'
 1
2( 2 1
2
2
Ek = ( x 4 x 10 )+( x 2 x 20 ) −
1
2) (( 1
)(
x 4 x 16 2 + x 2 x 82
2 ))
 Ek = (200 + 400) – (512 + 64)
 Ek = 24J Thus the kinetic energy the that decreased is 24 Joules.

1) An object of 1kg mass is at rest, then it is yeeted by a force, F, so that it moves at 8m/s. If the
yeeter touches the object for 0.02 s. Determine: the change of momentum of the body, the
magnitude of force accelerating upon the body. Given: m = 1kg, v1 = 0m/s, v2= 8m/s, t =
0.02s
p = p2 – p1 I = F x 0.02 = 8
p = mv2 – mv1 8
F= =400 N
p = (1 x 8) – (1 x 0) 0.02
p = 8kg m/s
I = F x t = p
2) A 700kg monster truck moves at 36km/h, then crashes to a tree and stops after 0.4 s.
Calculate the force acting upon the truck during the collision. Given: m = 700kg, v 2 =
36km/h = 10m/s, t = 0.4s, v1 = 0m/s
I = p F x 0.4 = (700 x 0) – (700 x 10)
Ft = mv2 – mv1 −7000
F= =−17500 N
0.4

3) A Frisbee of 2kg moves to the right at 4 m/s. Another Frisbee of 4kg moves at 4m/s in the
opposite direction. After colliding, both move together. Determine the velocity of both
Frisbees. Given: m1 = 2kg, v1 = 4m/s, m2 = 4kg, v2 = -4m/s, NON-ELASTIC
V1’ = V2’ = V’ =? (2 x 4) + (4 x -4) = (2 + 4)V’
M1V1 + M2V2 = M1V1’ + M2V2’ -16 = 6V’
M1V1 + M2V2 = (M1 + M2)V’ V’ = -1.33m/s

4) 2 boxes, m1 = 1kg and m2 =2kg, move in opposite directions. The velocities were v 1 = 3m/s
and v2 = 2m/s. calculate the velocity of both if the collision is perfectly elastic. Given: m 1 =
1kg, m2 = 2kg, v1 = 3m/s, v2 = -2m/s, e = 1, ELASTIC
M1V1 + M2V2 = M1V1’ + M2V2’ −( V 1' −V 2' )
e= =1
(1 x 3) + (2 x -2) = 1V1’ + 2V2’ V 1−V 2
1V1’ + 2V2’= -1 … '
−(V 1 −V 2 )
'
e= =1
3−−2
e = -V1’ + V2’ = 5…
1V1’ + 2V2’ = -1
-V1’ + V2’ =5 +
 4
V2’ = m/s
3
4 11
V1’ =5- →− m/s
3 3

5) va = 2m/s vb = 4m/s Restitution coefficient = 0.5 (PARTIALY ELASTIC)

ma = 5kg mb = 10kg

mava + mbvb = mava’ + mbvb’

(5 x 2) + (10 x 4) = 5va’ + 10vb’
-6 = va’ + 2vb’…

−( V a' −V b' )
e= =0.5 -6 = va’ + 2vb’
Va−Vb

−( Va−V b ' )
e= =0.5 3 = -va’ + vb’ +
2−−4
e = 3 = -va’ + vb’ … -3 = 3vb’
-1 = vb’
-4 = va’

6) Both cars collide one another. After colliding, both cars move together. Calculate both
velocities.
V1 =
10m/s V2 = 5m/s

M1 = 1000kg
M2 = 2000kg

(m1v1) + (m2v2) = (m1 + m2)v’

(1000 x 10) + (2000 x -5) = 3000v’
10,000 + -10,000 = 3000v’

7) A 50kg trolley with a person in it moves at 5m/s to hit another trolley of 40kg mass that moves
opposite at 4m/s. After colliding, both trolleys move together. Find both velocities of the trolley
collision. Given: m1 = 50kg, v1 = 5m/s, m2 = 40kg, v2 = - 4m/s
v1’ = v2’ = v’
 (m1v1) + (m2v2) = (m1 + m2)v’
(50 x 5) + (40 x - 4) = 90v’
250 - 160 = 90v’
90 = 90v’
v’ = 1m/s

8) 0.25kg ball got hit and moves at 60m/s. If the contact time between baseball bat and the ball is 0.05 s.
Determine the average force which the bat has done. Given = m = 0.25kg, v o = 0m/s, vt = 60m/s, t =
0.05s

Ip = P
F t = P2 – P1
F t = mvt – mvo
0.05F = (0.25 x 60) – 0
0.05F = 15
F = 300N