Chapter 3: Force, Impulse and Momentum

3.1 Force
What is a FORCE?
When we think of force

We usually imagine a push or a pull exerted on some object.

Exert a force on a ball when you throw it or kick it.
Exert a force on a chair when you sit down on it.

What happens to an object when it is acted on by a force?

It depends on the magnitude and direction of the force.

Force is a vector quantity; thus , we denote it with a directed arrow, just as we do

for velocity and acceleration.
Early concept of Force

The early scientist introduced; force as the concept of a field .

The corresponding forces are called field force.

Example; when a mass, m is placed at some point, P near a second mass, M ,we
say that m interacts with M by virtue of the gravitational field that exists at P.

Fundamental force

The known fundamental force in nature are all field force.

The fundamental force are :

strong nuclear force between subatomic particles.
electromagnetic force between electric charges at a rest or in motion.
weak nuclear force, which arise in certain radioactive decay processes
and gravitational force. The force of gravitational attraction between two objects.

ISAAC NEWTON
1642 1727

I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been
only like a boy playing on the seashore and diverting myself in now and then finding a
smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all
undiscovered before me.

The whole burden of philosophy seems to consist in this from the phenomena
of motions to investigate the forces of nature and then from these forces to explain their
nature.
3.2 Newtons Laws of Motion

Newtons First Law of Motion

Inertia

Newtons Second Law of Motion

Mass and Weight

Center of Mass and Center of Gravity

Newtons Third Law of Motion

Normal Force

Friction Static friction and Kinetic frictiont velocity if there is no net external
force between the object and environment.

Newtons First Law of Motion

States:
* An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion continues in motion with constan

In equation:

0a0

Garfield testing
Newtons First Law of Motion

Inertia
Definition :

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist any changes in its state of rest or
motion.

In other words : Objects tend to keep on doing what theyre doing.

Inertia is solely dependent upon mass of the object.

Object with more mass has more inertia meaning that it has more tendency to
resist changes in its state of motion.
Snoopy experiencing Inertia

Experiments about Inertia

Real Experiences of Inertia

Pull Force

Push Force

Newtons second Law of Motion

States:
The accelation of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it an
inversely proportional to its mass.
a

F
m

F ma

Restate:
The rate of change of momentum with time is proportional to the net applied force
and is in the same direction.

mv
F
t

mv
v
m
ma
t
t

Note :
The direction of the acceleration is the same as the direction of the applied net

force.
S.I. unit of force :

1 Newton is the force that produces an acceleration of 1 m s-2 when acting on a

1 kg mass.

Therefore, 1 N = 1kg m s-2

Mass
Mass is an inherent property of a body.
Mass is a quantitative measure of the inertia of a body.
Mass is the force required per unit of acceleration produced.
The value of mass is independent of location.
Mass is a scalar.
S.I. unit of mass is kilogram.

Weight
Weight is the force exerted on an object by a gravitational field.
W = mg = Fg

Weight varies slightly with altitude because weight depends on the strength of the
gravitational field.
gearth gmoon

Weight is a vector.

S.I. unit of weight is Newton or kg m s-2.

Center of Mass

Defination:
The point at which all the mass can be considered to be concentrated.

mi x i

xcm , ycm

i 1
n

m
i 1

m y
i 1
n

m
i 1

Note:
A force that exerts on the center of mass will cause the object to make a
translational motion.

Center of Gravity
Defination:
The point at which all the weight exerts on the object.

w x w y

cg

, y cg

i 1
n

i i

i 1

i 1
n

i 1

Note:
Center of mass and center of gravity for a uniform and simetrical object is at the
center point of the object.
Example :
An object with two masses m1 and m2 at the each end of a light rod, d in length. Find the
center of mass of the object using m1 and m2 and d.

Solution:
Defination:
The point at which all the mass can be considered to be concentrated.

mi x i

xcm , ycm

i 1
n

m
i 1

m y
i 1
n

m
i 1

Note:
A force that exerts on the center of mass will cause the object to make a
translational motion.

d
m1

m2
A

xcm

Center of mass from A,

m1 0 m 2 d
m1 m2

xcm

m2
m1 m2

Example:
An object with two masses m1 and m2 at the each end of a light rod , d in length. Find the
center of mass of the object using m1 and m2 and d.
Newtons Third Law of Motion
States :

For every action (force) there is a reaction (opposing force) of equal magnitud and
straight but opposite in direction.
Explaination :

Whenever one object exerts a force FAB on a second object. The second exerts an
equal and opposite force FBA on the first.

FAB = -FBA

Examples :

When you push on the wall it will push back with the same force.

When little Jim pushes little Tim, little Tim pushes back with the same force. The
boy with the better grip on the ground will keep from falling.

In the game of tug of war, when one side pull on the other side, the other side
pulls back with the same force.
Normal Force
Definition :

The contact force exerted by a surface onto a body resting or sliding on the
surface and acts perpendicularly to the surface.

Friction

Friction originates from forces between atoms and molecules when surfaces are in
contact.

Example :

Friction occurs when a body moves on a rough surface or through a fluid medium
(water, air, etc).

The direction of the friction is parallel to the surface in contact and opposite to the
direction of in which an object wants to move.

Friction is a retarding force that resists motion on a surface.

N
direction of
f

motion

fN
f = N
is the coefficient of friction.

is depends on the objects involve and on the condition of the surface.

Two Types of Friction

Static Friction

Kinetic Friction
Static Friction

Static friction, fs is the force of friction between two objects when there is no
motion.

fs changes with the external force, Fext.

fs sN

where

s = the coefficient of static friction

N = the magnitude of the normal force

Equality holds when the object is at the point of slipping. fs(max) = sN

Example :

Consider a block on a rough surface. Apply an external force to the block.

if Fext < fs (max) the object wont move.

as Fext increases, fs will increase until it reaches its maximum value.
When Fext = fs (max) the block will start to move which is called the point of
slipping.

Once the force starts to move the force of friction is given by kinetic friction, fk .

Kinetic Friction

Kinetic Friction, fk is the force of friction between two objects when there is
motion.

fk = kN where

k = the coefficient of kinetic friction

N = the magnitude of the normal force
k is nearly independent of the velocity of the object under consideration.
fk is approximately constant for any given pair of materials.

Note :

Values of s and k depend on the nature of the surfaces that are in contact.
Usually k < s fk < fk .
rubber on concrete s = 1.0, k = 0.8
waxed wood on wet snow s = 0.14, k = 0.10

s and k are nearly independent of the area of contact between the two surfaces.

3.3
Linear momentum
and its
Principle of Conservation

Application of Newtons first and second laws of motion in linear momentum

Linear momentum

Principle of conservation of linear momentum

Application of Newtons First and Second Laws of Motion

From Newtons Second Law:

dp
dt

d mv
dt

F v

dm
dv
m
dt
dt

Case1
Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity but with changing mass.
Example: Rocket
dv
dm

dt
dt

dm
F v
m 0
dt
dm
F v

dt
F v

Case2
Object with constant mass but changing velocity.
Example: Rocket
dv
dm

dt
dt

F v

F v 0 ma
F ma

Case 3
Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity and mass.
dv
dm

dt
dt

F v

F v 0 m 0
F 0

Newtons First Law of Motion

F

dp
dt

p malar

Linear Momentum
Definition :
Momentum = Mass x Velocity

If F = 0 p = mv = constant
Momentum is a vector.
The direction of the momentum is the same as the direction of the velocity.
S.I. unit of momentum is kg m s-1 or N s.

Example :
Find the magnitude of the momentum of a cricket ball of mass 420 g thrown at 20 m s-1.

Solution :
Given m
v

= 0.42 kg
= 20 m s-1

Momentum = mass x velocity

p
= mv
= 0.42 x 20 N s
= 8.4 N s
Example :
A 1.5 kg ball was kicked with initial velocity of 40 m s-1 at the angle of 30 with the
horizontal line. Calculate the initial momentum of the ball and also the horizontal and
vertical components of the initial momentum.

Solution:
vy
Given m= 1.5 kg
v = 40 ms-1
30 0
Momentum, p = mv
= 1.5 x 40 kg ms-1

v
300
vx

= 60 kgms-1
Horizontal component of the momentum :
px
= mvx
= mv kos
= 1.5 (40) kos 30
= 51.96 kg m s-1
or

px

= p kos
= 60 kos 30
= 51.96 N s

Vertical component of the momentum :

py
= mvy
= mv sin
= 1.5 (40) sin 30
= 30 kg m s-1
= p sin
= 60 sin 30
= 30 N s
Principle of Conservation of
Linear Momentum
States :
When the net external force on a system is zero, the total momentum of that
system is constant.
or

py

Or

Provided there are no external forces acting on a system, the total momentum
before collisions equals the total momentum after collisions.
Newtons First Law of Motion :
F = 0 p = 0 p = constant
Expressed symbolically :
initial momentum = final momentum
pi = pf
For a collision involving two bodies :
m1u1+ m1u2 = m1v1 +m2v2
3.4 ELASTIC & INELASTIC COLLISION
3.4.1 Collision

* Collision is a process in which the colliding parties interact with each other
very strongly and briefly such that all the other forces can be ignored in this process.
* The interaction force, even though brief, depends strongly on time.
* The average force of a collision process can be calculated by dividing the
impulse, J by the time interval of the collision, t ;
F

Pf Pi P
J

t
t
t

* In a collision process between two bodies m1 and m2, the external forces can be
ignored, and as a result the linear momentum before and after the collision is conserved.
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
where ; u1 and u2 are velocities of m1 and m2 before collision
v1 and v2 are velocities of m1 and m2 after collision
* On the other hand, the kinetic energy may or may not be
collision.

conserved in a

* Two types of collisions are elastic collision and inelastic

collision.
Example
An 1800-kg truck stopped at a traffic light is struck from the rear by a 900-kg car and the
two become entangled. If the smaller car was moving at 20 m/s before the collision, what
is the speed of the entangled mass after the collision ?
Solution

Conservation of momentum
Pi Pf
m1u1 ( m1 m2 ) v
v

m1u1
( m1 m2 )
(900)(20)
(1800 900)

6.67 ms 1

;u 0

3.4.2 Elastic collision

* An elastic collision is that in which the momentum of the system as well as
kinetic energy of the system before and after collision is conserved.
Conservation of momentum :
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
Conservation of kinetic energy :
m1u12 + m2u22 = m1v12 + m2v2 2
* Elastic collision in one dimension
Consider ; m1 and m2 = masses of two non-rotating spheres
u1 and u2 = velocities of m1 and m2 before collision
v1 and v2 = velocities of m1 and m2 after collision
Let u1 is greater than u2 and are in the same direction:

Momentum of the system before collision = m1u1 + m2u2

Momentum of the system after collision

= m1v1 + m2v2

According to the law of conservation of momentum:

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

m1v1 m1u1 = m2u2 m2v2

m1(v1 u1) = m2(u2 v2) -------(1)

Similarly
K.E of the system before collision = m1u12 + m2u22
K.E of the system after collision

= m1v12 + m2v22

Since the collision is elastic, so the K.E of the system before and after collision is
conserved.
Thus
m1v12 + m2v22 = m1u12 + m2u22
(m1v12 + m2v22) = (m1u12 + m2u22)
m1v12-m1u12
= m2u22-m2v22
m1(v12-u12)
= m2(u22-v22)
m1(v1+u1) (v1-u1) = m2(u2+v2) (u2-v2) ------- (2)

Dividing equation (2) by equation (1);

m1(v1 u1 )(v1 u1 ) m2(u2 v2 )(u2 v2 )

m1(v1 u1 )
m2(u2 v2 )
v1+ u1 = u2 + v2
From the above equation
v1 = u2 + v2 -u1 _________(3)
v2 = v1 + u1 -u2 _________(4)

Putting the value of v2 in equation (1)

m1 (v1-u1) = m2 (u2-v2)
m1 (v1-u1) = m2{u2-(v1+u1-u2)}
m1(v1-u1) = m2{u2-v1-u1+u2}

m1(v1-u1) = m2 { 2u2-v1-u1}
m1v1-m1u1= 2m2u2-m2v1-m2u1
m1v1+m2v1= m1u1-m2u1+2m2u2
v1(m1+m2) = (m1-m2)u1+2m2u2

v1

m1 m2
2m 2
u1
u
m1 m2 m1 m2 2

* Elastic collision in two dimensions

Elastic collision in two dimensions can be analyzed by using the fact that
momentum is a vector quantity.
Consider a glancing collision between two spheres of mass m1 and m2 ;

v1 , v2 = velocities before collision ,

v1 , v2 = velocities after collision ,
m2 is initially at rest, v2 = 0
the initial velocity is along the x axis,
the initial momentum along the y axis = 0

Conservation of momentum gives ;

momentum along x :

momentum along y :

m1v1x = m1v1x + m2v2x

m1v1 = m1v1 cos 1 + m2v2 cos 2
0
= m1v1y + m2v2y
m1v1 sin 1 = m2v2 sin 2

Conservation of energy gives ;

kinetic energy

m1v12 = m1v12 + m2v22

m1v12 = m1v12 + m2v22

Example 1
A 3000-kg truck moving with a velocity of 10 m/s hits a 1000-kg parked car. The impact
causes the 1000-kg car to be set in motion at 15 m/s. Assuming that momentum is
conserved during the collision, determine the velocity of the truck after the collision.
Solution

Example 2
A 200 g tennis ball moving with a speed of 15 m/s collides with a stationary ball of 800 g
in an elastic collision. The tennis ball is scattered at an angle of 45o from its original
direction with the speed of
5 m/s. Find the final speed (magnitude and direction) of the struck ball.
Solution

Conservation of momentum along x :

m1v1 = m1v1 cos 1 + m2v2 cos 2
0.2(15) = 0.2(5 cos 45o )+ 0.8 (v2 cos 2 )
v2 cos 2 = 3 - 0.2(5 cos 45o )
0.8
v2 cos 2 = 2.866
(i)
Conservation of momentum along y :
m1v1 sin 1 = m2v2 sin 2
0.2(5 sin 45o ) = 0.8 v2 sin 2
v2 sin 2 = 0.2(5 sin 45o )

0.8
v2 sin 2 = 0.884

(ii)

3.4.3 Inelastic collision

* An inelastic collision is that in which the momentum
of the system
before and after collision is conserved but the kinetic energy before and after collision is
not conserved.
Conservation of momentum,
m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1+ m2) v
Kinetic energy is not conserved,
K.E before collision K.E after collision
m1u1 2+ m2u22 ( m1 +m2)v2
( some of the kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy such
as heat or sound)
* Inelastic collision in one dimension
In a completely inelastic collision the two objects stuck together after collision.
According to the law of conservation of momentum,
m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2 ) v

If m2 is at rest, u2 = 0 ;
Kinetic energy before collision , Ki = m1 u12
Kinetic energy after collision, Kf = (m1+ m2) v2

* Ballistic pendulum
Ballistic pendulum is a device invented by Benjamin Robins in 1742 to measure the
speed of a bullet.

The block is at rest, so its velocity is zero.

Conservation of momentum;
mvi = (M + m) vf

(i)

Kinetic energy of both bullet and the block after collision;

K.E = (M+ m) vf2

Conservation of energy;
Kinetic energy = Gravitational potential energy
(M+ m) vf2 = (M + m )g h
vf = 2 g h (ii)

Example 1
In a ballistic experiment, suppose that ;
h = 5.00 cm,

m = 5.00 g
M = 1.00 kg.
Find the (a) initial speed of the bullet, vi
(b) the loss in energy due to the collision
[ g = 9.81 m/s2 ]
Solution

(b) The loss in energy due to the collision, K

K = Ki Kf
= mvi2 - (m + M) vf2
= mvi2 - (m + M) (2gh)
= {(5x10-3)(199)2 -(5x10-3 + 1.00) (2)(9.81)(5x10-2)
= 99.0 - 0.5
= 98.5 J
Example 2
Granny (m=80 kg) whizzes around the rink with a velocity of 6 m/s. She suddenly
collides with Ahmad (m=40 kg) who is at rest directly in her path. Rather than knock him
over, she picks him up and continues in motion without "braking." Determine the velocity
of Granny and Ahmad. Assume that no external forces act on the system so that it is an
isolated system.
Solution

Example 3
Two cars approaching each other along streets that meet at a right angle collide at the
intersection. After the crash, they stick together. If one car has a mass of 1450 kg and an

initial speed of 11.5 m/s and the other has a mass of 1750 kg and an initial speed of 15.5
m/s, what will be their speed and direction immediately after impact ?
Solution

The x component of the vector;

m1v1 = (m1+ m2) vx

The y component of the vector,

m1v1 = (m1+ m2) vy

3.4.4 Coefficient of Restitution

* Coefficient of restitution is the ratio of the differences in velocities before and after the
collision

* The coefficient of restitution will always be between zero and one,

( 0 < ek < 1 )
* A perfectly elastic collision has a coefficient of restitution of 1,
ek = 1
* A perfectly inelastic collision has a coefficient of restitution of 0,
ek = 0
3.5 Impulse
The impulse of the force F equals the change in the momentum of the particles
When a baseball hits a bat

or when two billiard balls collide , they exert forces on each other over a very
short time interval. Forces of this type , which exist only over short time , are often called
impulsive forces.

According Newtons second law

F = (mv) = p
t
t
where F is the net force applied to an object and p is its change
in momentum during a time t
F t = p
The quantity F t is called the impulse . It is the product of the force
and the time interval t over which the force acts.

Graph of force vs time

Average and instantaneous force during a typical brief collision between two
moving bodies.

The area under the curve of force versus time is equal to the impulse.

since the area of the rectangle whose height is the average force equals the area
under the curve , we can replace the instantaneous force by the average force to obtain
the impulse.