Momentum and Impulse (Lesson 5)

Vocabulary flashcards covering momentum and impulse concepts for Lesson 5.

Momentum (p)

Product of an object's mass and velocity; p = m × v; units: kg·m/s.

Impulse (J)

Change in momentum produced by a net force acting over a time interval; J = F Δt = Δp; units: N·s.

Impulse–Momentum Theorem

Impulse equals the change in momentum: J = Δp = pf − pi.

Conservation of Momentum

In a closed system with no external forces, total momentum remains constant before and after interactions.

Elastic Collision

A collision in which total kinetic energy is conserved in addition to momentum.

Inelastic Collision

A collision in which total kinetic energy is not conserved; momentum is conserved; some kinetic energy may convert to other forms.

External Force

A force applied from outside the system that can change the system's total momentum.

Change in Momentum (Δp)

Final momentum minus initial momentum (Δp = pf − pi).