Linear

Momentum
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Outline
Definition of linear momentum
Conservation of linear momentum and its
applications

Linear Momentum
The linear momentum of an object with mass m
travelling with velocity v is defined as:
The product of mass and velocity of an object.
It is a vector quantity.
The formula of momentum

(1)

SI unit: kg.m/s @ N.s

The direction of the momentum is the same as the direction of
the velocity.

Conservation of Linear Momentum

For closed system (isolated system), the law of conservation of
linear momentum states that
If the net force acting on the system is zero, the total
linear momentum of a system is constant

(2)

(3)
The total momentum of an isolated system of objects remains constant.

Collision
When two objects collide, the total linear momentum is
conserved. However, the kinetic energy after the collision is
generally less that that before collision in two ways:
i.It can be converted into heat because of friction.
ii.It is spent in creating permanent distortion or damage, as in
automobile collision.
Collision can be classified into:
Elastic collision one in which the total kinetic energy of the system after
the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy before the collision.
Inelastic collision one in which the total kinetic energy of the system is
not the same before and after the collision; if the objects stick together
after colliding, the collision is said to be completely inelastic.
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Collision
Collisions are common occurrence in everyday life.

Before collision

Collision
Elastic

Inelastic

Collision in which kinetic

energy & momentum is
m2 v2
m1v1
conserved
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Collision
in
which
kinetic energy is not
conserved, momentum
conserved
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Collision

Elastic

Inelastic

Momentum

Kinetic
energy

Example 1:

uB 3 m s
B

u A 6 m s 1
A

Figure above shows an object A of mass 200 g collides head-on with

object B of mass 100 g. After the collision, B moves at a speed of 2
.m s-1 to the left. Determine the velocity of A after collision
:Solution

m A 0.200 kg; mB 0.100 kg; u A 6 m s 1

u B 3 m s 1 ; vB 2 m s 1

pi p f
m Au A mB u B m A v A mB v B
0.200 6 0.100 3 0.200 v A 0.100 2
1
v A 3.5 m s to the left
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Example 2:
uA =30cms-1
uB=50cms-1
A
B
A 16g mass is moving in the +x direction at 30cms-1 while a 4g mass is
moving in the x direction at 50 cms-1. They collide head on and stick
together. Find their velocity and direction of movement after the collision.
:Solution
Let the 16g mass be mA and the 4g mass be mB.
By taking the +x direction to be positive, uA = 30 cms-1 and vA = - 50 cms-1.
From the Law of Conservation of Momentum,

p
i f
mA uA + mBuB = (mA + mB) v
(0.016)(0.30) + (0.004)(-0.50 ) = ((16 x 10-3 + 4 x 10-3 )(v)
v = 0.14 ms-1
Since the velocity after the impact is positive, both masses move in the
+x direction after the impact.

Cont..
3.

Car A of mass 100 kg traveling at 30 m s -1 collides with Car B of mass 90 kg traveling at 20 m s -1

in the same direction. Car A and B move separately after collision. If Car A moves at 25 m s -1
after collision, determine the velocity of Car B after collision.

Solution : Given :

mA = 100 kg, uA = 30 m s-1, vA = 25 m s-1,

mB = 90 kg, uB = 20 m s-1 , vB = ?

mAuA + mBuB
= m Av A + m Bv B
(100)(30) + (90)(20) = (100)(25) + (90)(v B)
vB = 25.56 m s-1
4 . A trolley of mass 4 kg moves at 3 m s -1 and collide with a trolley of mass 2 kg which is moving in
the opposite direction at 1 m s -1. After the collision, both trolleys move together with the same
velocity. What is their common velocity ?
Solution : m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2)v
4)(3) + (2) (-1) = (4 + 2 ) v
v = 5/3 m s-1

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End OF THIS TOPIC

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