Mechanics Lecture 9

Momentum and
Momentum Conservation
Momentum
Impulse
Conservation
of Momentum
Collision in 1-D
Collision in 2-D
Linear Momentum
A new fundamental quantity, like force, energy
The linear momentum p of an object of mass
m moving with a velocity is defined to be the
product of the mass and velocity:


The terms momentum and linear momentum will be
used interchangeably in the text
Momentum depend on an objects mass and velocity

v
v m p

=
Linear Momentum, cont
Linear momentum is a vector quantity
Its direction is the same as the direction of the
velocity
The dimensions of momentum are ML/T
The SI units of momentum are kg m / s
Momentum can be expressed in component
form:
p
x
= mv
x
p
y
= mv
y
p
z
= mv
z
m = p v
Newtons Law and Momentum
Newtons Second Law can be used to relate the
momentum of an object to the resultant force
acting on it


The change in an objects momentum divided by
the elapsed time equals the constant net force
acting on the object

t
v m
t
v
m a m F
net
A
A
=
A
A
= =
) (

net
F
t
p

= =
A
A
interval time
momentum in change
Impulse
When a single, constant force acts on the
object, there is an impulse delivered to the
object

is defined as the impulse
The equality is true even if the force is not constant
Vector quantity, the direction is the same as the
direction of the force
I
t F I A =

net
F
t
p

= =
A
A
interval time
momentum in change
Impulse-Momentum Theorem
The theorem states
that the impulse
acting on a system is
equal to the change in
momentum of the
system



i f
v m v m p I

= A =
I t F p
net

= A = A
Calculating the Change of
Momentum
| |
0( ) pm v mv A= =
( )
after before
after before
after before
p p p
mv mv
mv v
A =
=
=
For the teddy bear
For the bouncing ball
| |
( ) 2 pmv v mv A= =
How Good Are the Bumpers?
In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 10
3
kg collides with a wall and
rebounds as in figure. The initial and final velocities of the car are v
i
=-15
m/s and v
f
= 2.6 m/s, respectively. If the collision lasts for 0.15 s, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision
(b) the size and direction of the average force exerted on the car
How Good Are the Bumpers?
In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 10
3
kg collides with a wall and
rebounds as in figure. The initial and final velocities of the car are v
i
=-15
m/s and v
f
= 2.6 m/s, respectively. If the collision lasts for 0.15 s, find
(a) the impulse delivered to the car due to the collision
(b) the size and direction of the average force exerted on the car
s m kg s m kg mv p
i i
/ 10 25 . 2 ) / 15 )( 10 5 . 1 (
4 3
= = =
N
s
s m kg
t
I
t
p
F
av
5
4
10 76 . 1
15 . 0
/ 10 64 . 2
=

=
A
=
A
A
=
s m kg s m kg mv p
f f
/ 10 39 . 0 ) / 6 . 2 )( 10 5 . 1 (
4 3
+ = + = =
s m kg
s m kg s m kg
mv mv p p I
i f i f
/ 10 64 . 2
) / 10 25 . 2 ( ) / 10 39 . 0 (
4
4 4
=
=
= =
Conservation of Momentum
In an isolated and closed
system, the total momentum of
the system remains constant in
time.
Isolated system: no external forces
Closed system: no mass enters or
leaves
The linear momentum of each
colliding body may change
The total momentum P of the
system cannot change.
Conservation of Momentum
Start from impulse-momentum
theorem



Since

Then

So
i f
v m v m t F
2 2 2 2 12

= A
i f
v m v m t F
1 1 1 1 21

= A
t F t F A = A
12 21

) (
2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 i f i f
v m v m v m v m

=
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1

+ = +
Conservation of Momentum
When no external forces act on a system consisting of
two objects that collide with each other, the total
momentum of the system remains constant in time


When then
For an isolated system

Specifically, the total momentum before the collision will
equal the total momentum after the collision
i f net
p p p t F

= A = A
0 = Ap

0 =
net
F

i f
p p

=
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1

+ = +
The Archer
An archer stands at rest on frictionless ice and fires a 0.5-kg arrow
horizontally at 50.0 m/s. The combined mass of the archer and bow is
60.0 kg. With what velocity does the archer move across the ice after
firing the arrow?
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
f i
p p =
? , / 50 , 0 , 5 . 0 , 0 . 60
1 2 2 1 2 1
= = = = = =
f f i i
v s m v v v kg m kg m
f f
v m v m
2 2 1 1
0 + =
s m s m
kg
kg
v
m
m
v
f f
/ 417 . 0 ) / 0 . 50 (
0 . 60
5 . 0
2
1
2
1
= = =
Types of Collisions
Momentum is conserved in any collision
Inelastic collisions: rubber ball and hard ball
Kinetic energy is not conserved
Perfectly inelastic collisions occur when the objects
stick together
Elastic collisions: billiard ball
both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved
Actual collisions
Most collisions fall between elastic and perfectly
inelastic collisions
Collisions Summary
In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic
energy are conserved
In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but
kinetic energy is not. Moreover, the objects do not stick
together
In a perfectly inelastic collision, momentum is conserved,
kinetic energy is not, and the two objects stick together
after the collision, so their final velocities are the same
Elastic and perfectly inelastic collisions are limiting
cases, most actual collisions fall in between these two
types
Momentum is conserved in all collisions
More about Perfectly Inelastic
Collisions
When two objects stick together
after the collision, they have
undergone a perfectly inelastic
collision
Conservation of momentum




Kinetic energy is NOT conserved
f i i
v m m v m v m ) (
2 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
2 1
2 2 1 1
m m
v m v m
v
i i
f
+
+
=
An SUV Versus a Compact
An SUV with mass 1.80 10
3
kg is travelling eastbound
at +15.0 m/s, while a compact car with mass 9.00 10
2

kg is travelling westbound at -15.0 m/s. The cars collide
head-on, becoming entangled.
(a) Find the speed of the entangled
cars after the collision.
(b) Find the change in the velocity
of each car.
(c) Find the change in the kinetic
energy of the system consisting
of both cars.
(a) Find the speed of the entangled
cars after the collision.







f i i
v m m v m v m ) (
2 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
f i
p p =
s m v kg m
s m v kg m
i
i
/ 15 , 10 00 . 9
/ 15 , 10 80 . 1
2
2
2
1
3
1
= =
+ = =
2 1
2 2 1 1
m m
v m v m
v
i i
f
+
+
=
s m v
f
/ 00 . 5 + =
An SUV Versus a Compact
(b) Find the change in the velocity of
each car.
s m v v v
i f
/ 0 . 10
1 1
= = A
s m v kg m
s m v kg m
i
i
/ 15 , 10 00 . 9
/ 15 , 10 80 . 1
2
2
2
1
3
1
= =
+ = =
s m v
f
/ 00 . 5 + =
An SUV Versus a Compact
s m v v v
i f
/ 0 . 20
2 2
+ = = A
s m kg v v m v m
i f
/ 10 8 . 1 ) (
4
1 1 1 1
= = A
0
2 2 1 1
= A + A v m v m
s m kg v v m v m
i f
/ 10 8 . 1 ) (
4
2 2 2 2
+ = = A
(a) Find the change in the kinetic
energy of the system consisting
of both cars.
J v m v m KE
i i i
5 2
2 2
2
1 1
10 04 . 3
2
1
2
1
= + =
s m v kg m
s m v kg m
i
i
/ 15 , 10 00 . 9
/ 15 , 10 80 . 1
2
2
2
1
3
1
= =
+ = =
s m v
f
/ 00 . 5 + =
An SUV Versus a Compact
J KE KE KE
i f
5
10 70 . 2 = = A
J v m v m KE
f f f
4 2
2 2
2
1 1
10 38 . 3
2
1
2
1
= + =
More About Elastic Collisions
Both momentum and kinetic energy
are conserved




Typically have two unknowns
Momentum is a vector quantity
Direction is important
Be sure to have the correct signs
Solve the equations simultaneously

2
2 2
2
1 1
2
2 2
2
1 1
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
f f i i
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
v m v m v m v m
+ = +
+ = +
Elastic Collisions
A simpler equation can be used in place of the KE
equation

i f f i
v v v v
2 2 1 1
+ = +
) v (v = v v
2f 1f 2i 1i

2
2 2
2
1 1
2
2 2
2
1 1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
f f i i
v m v m v m v m + = +
) )( ( ) )( (
2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 i f i f f i f i
v v v v m v v v v m + = +
) ( ) (
2 2 2 1 1 1 i f f i
v v m v v m =
) ( ) (
2
2
2
2 2
2
1
2
1 1 i f f i
v v m v v m =
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
Summary of Types of Collisions
In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic
energy are conserved


In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but
kinetic energy is not

In a perfectly inelastic collision, momentum is conserved,
kinetic energy is not, and the two objects stick together
after the collision, so their final velocities are the same
2i 2f 1f
v + v = v + v
1i
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
f i i
v m m v m v m ) (
2 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
Problem Solving for 1D Collisions, 1
Coordinates: Set up a
coordinate axis and define
the velocities with respect
to this axis
It is convenient to make your
axis coincide with one of the
initial velocities
Diagram: In your sketch,
draw all the velocity vectors
and label the velocities and
the masses
Problem Solving for 1D Collisions, 2
Conservation of
Momentum: Write a
general expression for the
total momentum of the
system before and after
the collision
Equate the two total
momentum expressions
Fill in the known values

f f i i
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
Problem Solving for 1D Collisions, 3
Conservation of Energy:
If the collision is elastic,
write a second equation for
conservation of KE, or the
alternative equation
This only applies to perfectly
elastic collisions


Solve: the resulting
equations simultaneously
i f f i
v v v v
2 2 1 1
+ = +
One-Dimension vs Two-
Dimension
Two-Dimensional Collisions
For a general collision of two objects in two-
dimensional space, the conservation of momentum
principle implies that the total momentum of the
system in each direction is conserved



fy fy iy iy
fx fx ix ix
v m v m v m v m
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
+ = +
Two-Dimensional Collisions
The momentum is conserved in all directions
Use subscripts for
Identifying the object
Indicating initial or final values
The velocity components
If the collision is elastic, use conservation of
kinetic energy as a second equation
Remember, the simpler equation can only be used
for one-dimensional situations
fy fy iy iy
fx fx ix ix
v m v m v m v m
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
+ = +
i f f i
v v v v
2 2 1 1
+ = +
Glancing Collisions
The after velocities have x and y components
Momentum is conserved in the x direction and in the
y direction
Apply conservation of momentum separately to each
direction
fy fy iy iy
fx fx ix ix
v m v m v m v m
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
+ = +
2-D Collision, example
Particle 1 is moving at
velocity and
particle 2 is at rest
In the x-direction, the
initial momentum is
m
1
v
1i
In the y-direction, the
initial momentum is 0
1i
v
2-D Collision, example cont
After the collision, the momentum
in the x-direction is m
1
v
1f
cos u

+
m
2
v
2f
cos |
After the collision, the momentum
in the y-direction is m
1
v
1f
sin u

+
m
2
v
2f
sin |



If the collision is elastic, apply the
kinetic energy equation
| u
| u
sin sin 0 0
cos cos 0
2 2 1 1
2 2 1 1 1 1
f f
f f i
v m v m
v m v m v m
= +
+ = +
2
2 2
2
1 1
2
1 1
2
1
2
1
2
1
f f i
v m v m v m + =
Problem Solving for Two-
Dimensional Collisions
Coordinates: Set up coordinate axes and
define your velocities with respect to these
axes
It is convenient to choose the x- or y- axis to
coincide with one of the initial velocities
Draw: In your sketch, draw and label all
the velocities and masses

Problem Solving for Two-
Dimensional Collisions, 2
Conservation of Momentum: Write expressions
for the x and y components of the momentum of
each object before and after the collision
Write expressions for the total momentum before
and after the collision in the x-direction and in the
y-direction
fy fy iy iy
fx fx ix ix
v m v m v m v m
v m v m v m v m
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
+ = +
+ = +
Problem Solving for Two-
Dimensional Collisions, 3
Conservation of Energy: If the collision is
elastic, write an expression for the total
energy before and after the collision
Equate the two expressions
Fill in the known values
Solve the quadratic equations
Cant be simplified
Problem Solving for Two-
Dimensional Collisions, 4
Solve for the unknown quantities
Solve the equations simultaneously
There will be two equations for inelastic
collisions
There will be three equations for elastic
collisions
Check to see if your answers are
consistent with the mental and pictorial
representations. Check to be sure your
results are realistic
Collision at an Intersection
A car with mass 1.510
3
kg traveling
east at a speed of 25 m/s collides at
an intersection with a 2.510
3
kg van
traveling north at a speed of 20 m/s.
Find the magnitude and direction of
the velocity of the wreckage after the
collision, assuming that the vehicles
undergo a perfectly inelastic collision
and assuming that friction between the
vehicles and the road can be
neglected.
? ? , / 20 , / 25
10 5 . 2 , 10 5 . 1
3 3
= = = =
= =
u
f viy cix
v c
v s m v s m v
kg m kg m
Collision at an Intersection
? ? , / 20 , / 25
10 5 . 2 , 10 5 . 1
3 3
= = = =
= =
u
f viy cix
v c
v s m v s m v
kg m kg m

= = + = s m kg v m v m v m p
cix c vix v cix c xi
/ 10 75 . 3
4

+ = + = u cos ) (
f v c vfx v cfx c xf
v m m v m v m p
u cos ) 10 00 . 4 ( / 10 75 . 3
3 4
f
v kg s m kg =

= = + = s m kg v m v m v m p
viy v viy v ciy c yi
/ 10 00 . 5
4

+ = + = u sin ) (
f v c vfy v cfy c yf
v m m v m v m p
u sin ) 10 00 . 4 ( / 10 00 . 5
3 4
f
v kg s m kg =
Collision at an Intersection
? ? , / 20 , / 25
10 5 . 2 , 10 5 . 1
3 3
= = = =
= =
u
f viy cix
v c
v s m v s m v
kg m kg m
u cos ) 10 00 . 4 ( / 10 75 . 3
3 4
f
v kg s m kg =
u sin ) 10 00 . 4 ( / 10 00 . 5
3 4
f
v kg s m kg =
33 . 1
/ 10 75 . 3
/ 10 00 . 5
tan
4
4
=


=
s m kg
s m kg
u

1 . 53 ) 33 . 1 ( tan
1
= =

u
s m
kg
s m kg
v
f
/ 6 . 15
1 . 53 sin ) 10 00 . 4 (
/ 10 00 . 5
3
4
=