PHYS1115 Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards covering momentum, impulse, and collisions based on lecture notes.

Momentum (p)

A measure of an object's mass and velocity; calculated as p=mv.

Unit for Momentum

kg-m/s

Total Momentum of a System

The vector sum of the momenta of individual objects within the system.

Impulse

The product of force and the time interval over which it acts; impulse = F x t.

Unit for Impulse

N-s or kg.m/s

Law of Conservation of Momentum

In the absence of an external force, the total momentum of a system remains constant.

Inelastic Collision

A collision in which kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy (heat, sound, potential energy).

Perfect Inelastic Collision

A collision where objects stick together and move as one mass after the collision, with kinetic energy converted into other forms.

General Inelastic Collision

A collision where objects bounce off each other, with some kinetic energy transformed into other forms of energy.

Elastic Collision

A collision where objects bounce off each other and kinetic energy is conserved.

Explosion

A process where an object or objects break apart due to conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy.