[1] Momentum Terms

Momentum

Momentum is the measure of an object’s resistance to a change in motion, it is a vector value.

Notated with P

Impulse

Impulse is the change in an object’s momentum over a time period, and is a vector quantity as well.

Notated with J

Conservation of momentum

Total momentum of a system will remain constant if there are no external forces acting upon the objects.

Sum of momentum before a collision is equal to after.

Elastic collision

Total kinetic energy is conserved. The two objects bounce off each other without losing any energy.

Inelastic collision

Kinetic energy is not conserved. Objects will stick together and some energy is lost as kinetic energy or sound.

NOTE: Momentum will be conserved while kinetic energy is not.

Perfectly inelastic collision

Objects will stick together and travel in a straight direction.