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LINEAR Momentum
Newton’s 1st and 2nd Laws can be used to explain Momentum. Linear momentum of a
body can be calculated by
momentum = mass × velocity
p = mv
units of momentum = kgm/s
Note: Momentum is a vector quantity.
Law of Conservation of Momentum
When two or more objects interact, the total momentum remains constant, provided that
no external force acts on them.
total momentum before collision = total momentum after collision
We use this law when dealing with collisions. There are two types of collisions: elastic or
inelastic collision.
(N.B. Momentum is a vector quantity, and direction must be always taken into account,
when doing calculations)
Elastic Collisions
An elastic collision is when two or more objects collide, and move apart, having lost little
or none of their motion energy. The total momentum and the total kinetic energy are
conserved.
BEFORE COLLISION AFTER COLLISION
UA UB VA VB
MA MB MA MB
total momentum before collision = total momentum after collision
MAUA + MBUB = MAVA + MBVB
D. Whitehall
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Inelastic Collisions
A complete inelastic collision is when two or more objects collide, stick together, and
move off in one direction after the collision. In an inelastic collision the total momentum
is conserved but the total kinetic energy is not conserved.
BEFORE COLLISION AFTER COLLISION
UA UB V
MA MB MA MB
total momentum before collision = total momentum after collision
MAUA + MBUB = (MA + MB)V
Example 1
A trolley A, 5kg, is traveling at 3m/s. Trolley B, 6kg, is traveling in the opposite direction
at 5m/s. An elastic collision occurs, and trolley A moves opposite to the original direction
at 4m/s. Calculate the speed of trolley B, after the collision.
Example 2
Ball A of mass 0.4 kg is moving with a velocity of 5 m/s and it collides head on with
ball B of mass 0.2 kg moving in the same direction with a velocity of 2m/s. After the
collision, ball A continues to move in the same direction with a velocity of 3m/s and
ball B also continues to move in the same direction with a velocity of 6 m/s.
a) Show that the collision obeys the laws of conservation of momentum.
b) Is the collision elastic or inelastic?
Example 3
Ball A of mass 2 kg is moving with a velocity of 50 m/s and it collides head on with
ball B of mass 4 kg moving in the opposite direction at 25 m/s. Assuming that the
collision is completely elastic, calculate the velocity of each ball after the collision.
D. Whitehall
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Example 4
An object A of mass 2kg is moving with a velocity of 6 m/s and it collides with a
stationary object B of mass 1 kg. Assuming that the collision is perfectly elastic, calculate
the velocity of each object after the collision.
Example 5
A bullet of 100g was fired into a stationary target, of mass 4kg, the target and bullet
moves off with a velocity of 5m/s. Calculate the velocity of the bullet before it hits the
target.
Example 6
A railway engine has a mass of 2000 kg and is moving at 3 m/s when it collides with and
couples to a stationary train of wagons of mass 10000kg. Calculate:
a) the speed of the engines and the wagons just after the impact.
b) The loss of kinetic energy as a result of the impact.
D. Whitehall
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Collisions in Two Dimensions
The principal of conservation of momentum can be applied in tw0-dimensions, and if the
collision is elastic, then the kinetic energy is also conserved. In these cases, the
momentum is resolved into its perpendicular components and the principle is applied to
each dimension.
Example 1
Pool ball A of mass 1 kg rests on a smooth surface and is struck by Pool ball B of mass
1kg, which was originally travelling at 30 m/s. Pool ball B was deflected with a velocity
at 300 from its original direction and Pool ball A acquires a velocity at 45 0 . Calculate:
a) the velocity of each ball after the collision.
b) if the collision is perfectly elastic.
Example 2
Billiard ball A is moving at a speed of 3m/s. It strikes a ball B of equal mass which is at
rest. After the collision, the two balls move off at the same speed (V) in the same
direction as ball A at 450 angles to the horizontal. Calculate the speed of the balls after
the collision.
Example 3
Ball A of mass 0.4 kg is moving with a speed of 1.8 m/s and it strikes a second ball B of
mass 0.5 kg which is initially at rest. As a result of the collision, ball A is deflected off at
an angle of 300 and a speed of 1.10 m/s. Calculate the speed and the direction of ball B.
Example 4
An eagle of mass 4.3 kg is moving horizontally with a speed of 7.8 m/s. It collides with a
pigeon of mass 5.6 kg which is moving vertically (at right angles) to the eagle with a
speed of 10.2 m/s. After the collision they hold on to each other. Calculate the speed and
the direction of both of them after the collision.
D. Whitehall
