You are on page 1of 4

2-D Momentum, Collisions & Energy

Definition: Momentum -the product of mass and velocity p = m v (unit is kg m / s ) -often called "inertia of motion" -an object can have inertia, but no momentum -Newton's Laws of Motion originally defined using the concept of inertia: Newtons 1st Law: if a single body has no net force acting on it, momentum is constant or conserved p = m v (if mass is constant) Newtons 2nd Law:

Fnet = m a v = m t Fnet t = m v
impulse - momentum theorem

= p

Fnet t is called impulse


-often a force is not constant during time its exerted, so use average force -large impulse ---> large momentum ---> F/t or f/T Conservation of Momentum Definition: System -defined collection of objects Newton's 3rd Law: total momentum before collision = total momentum after collision -this applies for closed, isolated systems(objects neither enter or leave it and no external force is exerted) Law of Conservation of Momentum: the momentum of any closed, isolated system does not change total momentum before collision = total momentum after collision Definition: Work (W) is a measure of energy

{Work = Net Force x distance} -F is a constant, net force -d is the magnitude of displacement in direction of F net -unit of work is Joule (J) or N.m -work is done only if an object moves in the direction of F net Definition: Energy -non-material property capable of causing changes in matter 2 types of energy: 1. Potential Energy (Ep) -energy of an object due to its position or state or stored energy formula: E p = mgh {h is the height of object above 0 m} 2. Kinetic Energy (Ek) -energy of an object due to its motion formula: E k =

W = Fnet d

1 mv 2 2

- Ep can be converted to Ek -work is the transfer of energy by mechanical means -W done on object equals Ek gained by object

-since many objects already have some Ek when W is done on them, W = E kfinal E kinitial = E k {Work - Energy Theorem} "the net work done on an object is equal to its change in kinetic energy" if Wnet is +ve, KE increases if Wnet is -ve, KE decreases Law of Conservation of Energy: -within a closed, isolated system, energy can change form, but the total amount of energy is constant

E kinitial + E pinitial = E kfinal + E pfinal

Types of Collisions: 1. Elastic Collisionone where the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved. 2. Inelastic Collisionone where the total kinetic energy is not conserved. -momentum is conserved in both types of collisions Conditions for elastic collisions: 1. collision must be oblique (initially objects collide at an angle) 2. two objects have identical masses 3. one of the masses is initially stationary 4. the separation angle is a right angle Example: A 5.0-kg mass moving to the right at 6.0 x 10 1 m/s experiences a force of 12 N in the opposite direction for 4.0 s. Calculate the following; a) the initial momentum of the mass b) the impulse acting on the mass c) the change in momentum of the mass d) the final momentum of the mass e) the final velocity of the mass

Example: Two masses on a linear air track approach each other from opposite directions, collide then separate. The object moving to the right, m1, has a mass of 0.75 kg and a speed of 0.32 m/s. The other object, m 2, has a mass of 0.95

kg and a speed of 0.27 m/s. After the collision, the lighter object moves to the left with a speed of 0.087 m/s. Determine the final velocity of the more massive object AND whether the collision is elastic or inelastic.

Example: A 2.4-kg toy car is placed at a height of 3.8 m on a model roller coaster track and then released from rest. The track is frictionless between the starting point and the point X (on the diagram). Between X and Y the track has friction. Calculate: a) the potential energy of the car at the starting point b) the total energy of the car at the starting point c) the speed of the car at the top of the first hump d) assume that the cars speed at the point P is 1.2 m/s. How much energy has been transferred into heat due to friction?

Solving 2-D Momentum Problems for Oblique Collisions (Tips) 1. Two well-drawn vector diagrams required (one for before and one for after collision)

2. Total (resultant) momentum of an isolated system is conserved regardless of type of collision (elastic or inelastic) 3. Use Pythagorean Theorem/SOHCAHTOA OR Laws of Sines/Cosines 4. Remember, total momentum is conserved, NOT velocity! Example: A 2.50 x 102 kg stationary bomb explodes into three pieces. One piece with a mass of 1.30 x 10 2 kg moves north with a velocity of 63.0 m/s. The second piece with mass 65.0 kg moves east with a velocity of 48.0 m/s. What is the velocity of the third piece?

Example: Two rubber balls with identical masses, one of which is stationary, collide on a frictionless surface. The moving ball originally has a velocity of 3.0 m/s to the east but after the collision it moves off at an angle of 45o S of E. Based on this information, determine the velocity of the two balls after the collision, the change in velocity of the ball that was moving initially AND determine if the collision is elastic.

You might also like