AP Review Sheet 1: Chapter 9 Linear Momentum & Collisions

[Background] This chapter covers the use of Newtons third law in physics, allowing us to consider the ramifications of elastic, inelastic, and perfectly inelastic collisions in two dimensions. This chapter also covers the calculation of the center of mass of non-symmetrical objects.

Key Terms
Linear Momentum defined as the vector quantity which describes the amount of inertia that a particular object has based upon its mass and velocity. Corresponding formula: Isolated System In an isolated system, the total momentum of the system does not change. Impulse defined as the change in momentum or as the force applied to an object over time. Corresponding formula: Conservation of Momentum Universal law that prohibits the creation of momentum from nothing. Non-isolated System In a non-isolated system, a force may add or remove momentum from a system by applying a force over time. Elastic Collision A collision in which kinetic energy is conserved. Corresponding formulae: #1: , #2: , #3: Inelastic Collision A collision in which energy is lost, either to heat or sound. Corresponding formula: Perfectly Inelastic Collision A collision in which objects stick together. Corresponding formula: Center of Mass A point at which a systems mass can be said to be concentrated at.

[Diagram]

Remember that in elastic collisions as shown above, the angle of deflection between the two colliding bodies is equal to 90 in two dimensions.

[Review Questions] 1) A 60 kg ice skater jumps from the rink at an angle of 30 above the horizontal, with a speed of 5 m/s. Her partner of mass 70 kg catches her at the top of her arc, moving with an initial velocity of 6 m/s in the same direction. Assume air friction is negligible. What is their final velocity? 2) A cue ball weighing 170g is hit from rest with a cue, and thereafter attains a velocity of 2 m/s. The collision lasts .0015 seconds. What is the force felt by the cue ball? The cue ball now collides with another billiard ball of equal mass, which is moving with a velocity of -3 m/s. The cue ball is deflected from its original path by -15. If the cue ball is moving with a speed of .5 m/s, what is the final velocity of the billiard ball?? 3) A metal ballbearing is shot out of a cannon at 10 m/s. It immediately is caught by a pendulum that is .1 m long and has a mass of .5 kg. This pendulum rotates 12 before coming to a halt. What is the mass of this ballbearing? Suppose its initial velocity was 15 m/s?

[Solutions and Explanations] 1) A 60 kg ice skater jumps from the rink at an angle of 30 above the horizontal, with a speed of 5 m/s. Her partner of mass 70 kg catches her at the top of her arc, moving with an initial velocity of 6 m/s in the same direction. Assume air friction is negligible. What is their final velocity? ( 30 ) ( ) We have to solve for her horizontal velocity alone. Perfectly inelastic collision formula Plug in, solve for vf

2) A cue ball weighing 170g is hit from rest with a cue, and thereafter attains a velocity of 2 m/s. The collision lasts .0015 seconds. What is the force felt by the cue ball? The cue ball now collides with another billiard ball of equal mass, which is moving with a velocity of -3 m/s. The cue ball is deflected from its original path by -15. If the cue ball is moving with a speed of .5 m/s, what is the final velocity of the billiard ball?? Rearrange change of momentum equation (
)

( ( ( )

) )

Plug in and solve

A slightly longer version of the formula for elastic collisions, allowing for calculation in 2-D ( ) ( ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ))

Solve for v2f, keeping in mind that the angle of deflection is 90

( (

) )

3) A metal ballbearing is shot out of a cannon at 10 m/s. It immediately is caught by a pendulum that is .1 m long and has a mass of .5 kg. This pendulum rotates 12 before coming to a halt. What is the mass of this ballbearing? Suppose its initial velocity was 15 m/s?

We must work backwards from the energy analysis to find the velocity of the catch and ball right after the perfectly elastic collision.

Cancel ms and solve for v. How to find h? ( ) , L-h L

h 12 Exaggerated scale for demonstration

( (

) ) or 10.6 g

Now we go through the process again, this time with v1i=15 m/s ( ( )

or 7.00 g