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When we run, we need to take into consideration our momentum.

Forces - Momentum

Explore momentum in GCSE Physics, seeing how mass and velocity link together and how collisions, stopping distances, and car safety features all depend on changes in momentum.

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Fascinating Fact:

Safety features like crumple zones and airbags increase the time taken for a change in momentum, reducing the force on passengers.

In GCSE Physics, momentum helps describe how difficult it is to stop a moving object. By studying momentum and its changes, you can understand real-life situations such as car crashes and sports impacts.

Key Terms

Momentum: A measure of motion found by multiplying an object’s mass by its velocity, measured in kilogram metres per second, kg m/s.
Change in momentum: The difference between an object’s final and initial momentum when its speed or direction alters.
Impulse: The product of force and time, equal to the change in momentum caused by that force.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is momentum in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, momentum is the product of mass and velocity. Objects with more mass or higher speed have greater momentum and are harder to stop or change direction.

How do you calculate momentum in an exam?

To calculate momentum, multiply the mass of the object by its velocity using the formula p = m × v. Make sure mass is in kilograms and velocity in metres per second.

How do crumple zones and airbags reduce injuries?

Crumple zones and airbags increase the time over which a collision happens. This spreads the change in momentum over longer, reducing the average force on the passengers.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What is momentum measured in?

Kilograms

Metres

Kilogram metres per second

Kilogram seconds per metre

Abbreviated to kg m s^-1 or kg m/s. Can also be expressed as newton seconds, abbreviated to N s

2 .

A 0.5 kg trolley is pushed at a velocity of 1.2 m/s into a stationary trolley of mass 1.5 kg. The two trolleys stick to each other after the impact. Calculate the velocity of the two trolleys straight after the impact assuming a closed system.

0.3 m/s

1.2 m/s

0.6 m/s

1.6 m/s

Work out the value for the total momentum before the impact. The total momentum after the impact is the same (closed system). You know the combined mass of the two trolleys when they are stuck together, so a simple rearrangement of the momentum equation will allow you to calculate the new velocity

3 .

An object of mass 1000 kg moving at a velocity of 5 m/s on a level surface, collides with, and becomes attached to, a stationary object of mass 1500 kg. Calculate the velocity of the two moving objects after the collision.

3 m/s

5 m/s

2 m/s

2 kg/s

At GCSE, you can assume conservation of momentum applies in collision calculations

4 .

In a closed system, the total momentum before an event is equal to what?

Twice the momentum after the event

The total momentum after the event

A closed system means that none of the energy within the system is lost to the environment. A closed system is often referred to as an ideal system

5 .

Momentum is a property of what?

Computers

Mobile phones

Moving objects

The Great Pyramid

Only moving objects have momentum, a stationary object will have no momentum

6 .

A 0.5 kg trolley is pushed at a velocity of 1.2 m/s into a stationary trolley of mass 1.5 kg. The two trolleys stick to each other after the impact. Calculate the momentum of the 0.5 kg trolley before the collision.

1.8 kg m/s

0.6 kg m/s

2.4 kg m/s

0.75 kg m/s

p = m x v, so p = 0.5 x 1.2 = 0.6 kg m/s

7 .

An object of mass 1000 kg moving at a velocity of 5 m/s on a level surface, collides with a stationary object of mass 1500 kg. Calculate the momentum of the 1000 kg object before the collision.

2500 kg m/s

7500 kg m/s

5000 kg/s

5000 kg m/s

Numerically, options 3 and 4 were both correct, it all comes down to units!

8 .

What is the correct formula for momentum?

m = p x v

p = m x v

v = p x m

p = 2v x m

Some questions will demand that you use it in this form, but to answer other questions, you may have to rearrange it, so be prepared!

9 .

A car and a truck are both travelling along a motorway at 30 m/s and 20 m/s respectively. The car has a mass of 1,200 kg and the truck has a mass of 4,500 kg. Which one requires the greater force to stop?

Car

Truck

Both the same

More details are required to answer the question

The missing information is the time to bring the car and the truck to a halt. Even though the truck has a greater momentum, if it is allowed more time for braking, it could be brought to a halt with a lower braking force. To stop the truck in the same time as the car would require a greater change in momentum and therefore a greater force

10 .

What is the momentum of an object which has a mass of 5 kg travelling at a speed of 2.5 m/s?

10 kg m/s

12.5 kg m/s

15 kg m/s

2 kg m/s

Straighforward use of the momentum equation. In your exam, unless the units are printed at the end of the answer space, you are expected to specify them

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Momentum - Higher

Author: Martin Moore