Momentum and Impulse

Physics pages

Momentum

The product of an objects MAsS and its velocity

inertia

The resistance of objects to a change in their State of motion

Newtons second Law of motion

when a non-zero resultant/ net force act on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force at an acceleration that is directly proportional to the force and inversly proportional to the mass of the object.

Newtons' second Law of motion in terms of momentum

The resultant/net force of an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the object in the direction of the resultant/net force

Impulse

The product of the resultant/net force acting on an object and the time the

resultant/net force acts on the object.

System

A collection of objects and the interactions that they have with one another.

Internal Forces

Forces that originate inside the system due to the bodies interacting with one each other

External Forces

Forces that originate outside the colliding bodies, e.g. friction.

Isolated System

A system on which the resultant/net external force is zero.

Principle of

Conservation of

Linear Momentum

The total linear momentum of an isolated system remains constant

Elastic Collision

In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total

kinetic energy after the collision (momentum and kinetic energy are conserved).

Inelastic Collision

In an inelastic collision, the total kinetic energy before the collision is not equal to the

total kinetic energy after the collision (only momentum is conserved).