CENTRE HIGH: PHYSICS 30

UNIT 1: CONSERVATION LAWS

Lesson 8: Conservation of Momentum (1-D)

Recommended Reading: Heath pp. 244 - 248 Ladner pp. 43 - 44

Momentum is conserved for collisions and explosions

Collisions: STICK!

Explosions:

BOOM!

F. Law of Conservation of Momentum

1 When two objects collide: 3rd Law: So, Fon 1 = - Fon 2 They exert equal and opposite forces for the same period of time 2

Fon 1 t = - Fon 2 t

Fon 1 = - Fon 2
Fon 1 t = - Fon 2 t Based on the equation F t = m v, it follows

m v1 = - m v2
p1 = - p2

or
p1 + p2 = 0

No overall change in momentum (conserved)

F1. Conservation of Momentum (1-D)

For collisions and explosions, there are two equations: 1. Total Momentum is conserved (constant) pT = pT ' - the total momentum before the collision is the same as the total momentum after the collision - this is also true for explosions

F1. Conservation of Momentum (1-D)

For collisions and explosions, there are two equations: 1. Total Momentum is conserved (constant) pT = pT '

These are vector sums Need a reference direction

2. No overall change in momentum p1 + p2 = 0 or p1 = - p2

Equal but opposite impulses

Conditions for momentum to be conserved : 1. A closed system - no objects lost / gained

2. Fnet = 0 on the whole system - the objects must move at a constant velocity before and after the collision e.g. No friction Level surface

Consider a collision:
10 kgm/s 6 kgm/s Boom! 3 kgm/s p?

What is the total momentum before the collision?

Ref: Right is positive

10 kgm/s -6 kgm/s Boom! -3 kgm/s p?

Remember, for 1-D vectors, you must determine a positive direction (i.e. a ref system)

10 kgm/s

-6 kgm/s Boom!

-3 kgm/s

p?

pT = 10 - 6 = 4 kgm/s

What is the total momentum after the collision?

10 kgm/s

-6 kgm/s Boom!

-3 kgm/s

p?

pT = 10 - 6 = 4 kgm/s

pT ' = 4 kgm/s

pT = pT ' = 4 kg m/s

Total momentum remains constant throughout the collision!

10 kgm/s

-6 kgm/s Boom!

-3 kgm/s

pT = 10 - 6 = 4 kgm/s

pT ' = 4 kgm/s

So, what is the momentum of the blue object after the collision?

10 kgm/s

-6 kgm/s Boom!

-3 kgm/s

7 kgm/s

pT = 10 - 6 = 4 kgm/s

pT ' = 4 kgm/s So, p = +7 kgm/s

The momentum of the two objects must add up to 4 kgm/s

10 kgm/s

-6 kgm/s Boom!

-3 kgm/s

7 kgm/s

Calculate the change in momentum for object 1 and 2

10 kgm/s

-6 kgm/s Boom!

-3 kgm/s

7 kgm/s

Also,
p1 = p1 ' - p1 = (-3 kgm/s) - (10 kgm/s)

= -13 kgm/s
p2 = p2 ' - p2 = (7 kgm/s) - (-6 kgm/s)

= +13 kgm/s Equal but opposite impulses (no overall change)

Animation:
Air Track collisions http://faraday.physics.utoronto.ca/PVB/Harrison/Flash/ClassM echanics/AirTrack/AirTrack.html Attempt to predict the answers before you run the animation - use the equations to calculate Be aware that an inelastic collision is when they stick together

Ex. 1 A 12.5 kg object, moving East at 4.0 m/s, collides with a 13.0 kg object moving West at 7.0 m/s. If they stick together (an inelastic collision), then the magnitude of their velocity is _________ m/s.
Your 2-digit answer is

Solution:
4.0 m/s 7.0 m/s v?

Stick!
12.5 kg 13.0 kg 25.5 kg

Draw a picture first. Show clearly before and after the collision.

Solution:
+4.0 m/s -7.0 m/s v?

Stick!
12.5 kg 13.0 kg 25.5 kg

Ref: East is + pT = pT'

p1 + p2 = pT'
m1 v1 + m2 v2 = mT v The two masses combine Treat as one (total) mass

m1 v1 + m2 v2 = mT v
(12.5 (4.0) + (13.0) (-7.0) = 25.5 v -41 = 25.5 v

v = -1.6 m/s
So, v = 1.6 m/s West

Numerical Response: 1 . 6

Ex. 2 A 750 kg car is moving East and collides with a 580 kg car moving West at 20.00 m/s. After the collision, the 580 kg car is moving East at 5.00 m/s. The magnitude of the impulse on Car 1 is b x 10w N s.
Your 3-digit value for b is

Solution:
Recall, for momentum to be conserved, the impulses have to be equal and opposite i.e. Both cars experience the same magnitude of impulse, but in opposite directions

Ref: East is positive

750 kg 580 kg 1 2

-20.00 m/s

Boom!

+5.00 m/s

Find impulse on Car 2:

m2 v2 = m2 (v2' - v2)
= 580 kg [ (+5.00 m/s) - (-20.00 m/s) ] = +1.45 x 104 kg m/s (East)

The cars will experience equal but opposite impulses (Cons of momentum)
Thus, Impulse on Car 1 = -1.45 x 104 kg m/s = 1.45 x 104 Ns West

Numerical Response format (b 10w)

1.45 x 10 4 w b

So, the 3-digit value for b is

Practice Problems:
Try Ladner p. 46 #1 - 12

SUMMARY 1. Conservation of momentum is based on which law?

2. What are the two equations for Cons of p? 3. What conditions are required for Cons of p?

SUMMARY 1. Conservation of momentum is based on which law? Newton's 3rd Law - equal and opposite forces - so, equal and opposite impulses
2. What are the two equations for Cons of p? Total p is constant pT = pT' No overall change in momentum

p1 + p2 = 0

3. What conditions are required for Cons of p? Closed system - no objects lost or gained Fnet = 0 on system - objects have constant velocity before and after the collision / explosion - no friction / level surface 4. Review Animations: Air Track collisions 2 Block collisions