Physics 101

Lecture 9
Linear Momentum and
Collisions
Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali ÖVGÜN
EMU Physics Department

www.aovgun.com
 Linear Momentum
and Collisions
q Conservation
of Energy
q Momentum
q Impulse
q Conservation
of Momentum
q 1-D Collisions
q 2-D Collisions
q The Center of Mass

December 18, 2018

 Conservation of Energy
q D E = D K + D U = 0 if conservative forces are the only
forces that do work on the system.
q The total amount of energy in the system is constant.
1 2 1 1 1
mv f + mgy f + kx 2f = mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2
2 2 2 2
q D E = D K + D U = -fkd if friction forces are doing work
on the system.
q The total amount of energy in the system is still
constant, but the change in mechanical energy goes
into “internal energy” or heat.
æ1 1 ö æ1 1 ö
- f k d = ç mv 2f + mgy f + kx 2f ÷ - ç mvi2 + mgyi + kxi2 ÷
è2 2 ø è2 2 ø
December 18, 2018
 Linear Momentum
q This is a new fundamental quantity, like force, energy.
It is a vector quantity (points in same direction as
velocity).
q The linear momentum p of an object of mass m moving
with a velocity v is defined to be the product of the
mass and velocity:
! !
p = mv
q The terms momentum and linear momentum will be
used interchangeably in the text
q Momentum depend on an object’s mass and velocity
December 18, 2018
 Linear Momentum
! !
q Linear momentum is a vector quantity p = mv
n Its direction is the same as the direction of
the velocity
q The dimensions of momentum are ML/T
q The SI units of momentum are kg m / s
q Momentum can be expressed in component
form:
px = mvx py = mvy pz = mvz

December 18, 2018

 Newton’s Law and
Momentum
q Newton’s Second Law can be used to relate the
momentum of an object to the resultant force
acting on it ! !
! ! Dv D(mv )
Fnet = ma = m =
Dt Dt
q The change in an object’s momentum divided by
the elapsed time equals the constant net force
acting on the object
!
Dp change in momentum !
= = Fnet
Dt time interval
December 18, 2018
 Impulse
q When a single, constant force acts on the
object, there is an impulse delivered to the
object ! !
n
I = FDt
!
n I is defined as the impulse
n The equality is true even if the force is not constant
n Vector quantity, the direction is the same as the
direction of the force
!
Dp change in momentum !
= = Fnet
Dt time interval
December 18, 2018
 Impulse-Momentum
Theorem
q The theorem states
that the impulse
acting on a system is
equal to the change
in momentum of the
system
! ! !
Dp = Fnet Dt = I
! ! ! !
I = Dp = mv f - mvi

December 18, 2018

 Calculating the Change of
Momentum
! ! !
Dp = pafter - pbefore
= mvafter - mvbefore
= m(vafter - vbefore )
For the teddy bear

Dp = m [0 - (-v)] = mv
For the bouncing ball

Dp = m [v - (-v)] = 2mv
December 18, 2018
 Ex1: How Good Are the Bumpers?
q In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 103 kg collides with a wall and
rebounds as in figure. The initial and final velocities of the car are vi=-15
m/s and vf = 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

December 18, 2018

 How Good Are the Bumpers?
q In a crash test, a car of mass 1.5 103 kg collides with a wall and
rebounds as in figure. The initial and final velocities of the car are vi=-15
m/s and vf = 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

pi = mvi = (1.5 ´10 3 kg )( -15m / s ) = -2.25 ´10 4 kg × m / s

p f = mv f = (1.5 ´103 kg )(+2.6m / s) = +0.39 ´10 4 kg × m / s

I = p f - pi = mv f - mvi
= (0.39 ´10 4 kg × m / s) - (-2.25 ´10 4 kg × m / s)
= 2.64 ´10 4 kg × m / s

Dp I 2.64 ´10 4 kg × m / s
Fav = = = = 1.76 ´105 N
Dt Dt 0.15s
December 18, 2018
 Ex2: Impulse-Momentum
Theorem
q A child bounces a 100 g superball on the
sidewalk. The velocity of the superball
changes from 10 m/s downward to 10 m/s
upward. If the contact time with the
sidewalk is 0.1s, what is the magnitude of
the impulse imparted to the superball?
(A) 0
(B) 2 kg-m/s ! ! ! !
(C) 20 kg-m/s I = Dp = mv f - mvi
(D) 200 kg-m/s
(E) 2000 kg-m/s
December 18, 2018
 Ex3: Impulse-Momentum
Theorem 2
q A child bounces a 100 g superball on the
sidewalk. The velocity of the superball
changes from 10 m/s downward to 10 m/s
upward. If the contact time with the
sidewalk is 0.1s, what is the magnitude of
the force between the sidewalk and the
superball?
(A) 0 ! ! ! !
(B) 2 N ! I Dp mv f - mvi
F= = =
(C) 20 N Dt Dt Dt
(D) 200 N
(E) 2000 N
December 18, 2018
Conservation of Momentum
q In an isolated and closed system,
the total momentum of the
system remains constant in time.
n Isolated system: no external forces
n Closed system: no mass enters or
leaves
n The linear momentum of each
colliding body may change
n The total momentum P of the
system cannot change.

December 18, 2018

Conservation of Momentum
q Start from impulse-momentum
theorem
! ! !
F21Dt = m1v1 f - m1v1i
! ! !
F12 Dt = m2v2 f - m2v2i

! !
q Since F21Dt = - F12 Dt

! ! ! !
q Then m1v1 f - m1v1i = -(m2 v2 f - m2 v2i )

! ! ! !
q So m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

December 18, 2018

Conservation of Momentum
q 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
! ! ! !
Fnet Dt = Dp = p f - pi
! !
q When Fnet = 0 then Dp = 0
q For an isolated system
! !
p f = pi
q Specifically, the total momentum before the collision will
equal the total momentum after the collision
! ! ! !
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
December 18, 2018
 Ex4: The Archer
q 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?

pi = p f
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
m1 = 60.0kg , m2 = 0.5kg , v1i = v2i = 0, v2 f = 50m / s, v1 f = ?

0 = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
m2 0.5kg
v1 f = - v2 f = - (50.0m / s) = -0.417m / s
m1 60.0kg
December 18, 2018
 Ex5: Conservation of
Momentum
q A 100 kg man and 50 kg woman on ice
skates stand facing each other. If the woman
pushes the man backwards so that his final
speed is 1 m/s, at what speed does she recoil?
(A) 0
(B) 0.5 m/s
(C) 1 m/s
(D) 1.414 m/s
(E) 2 m/s

December 18, 2018

 Types of Collisions
q Momentum is conserved in any collision
q Inelastic collisions: rubber ball and hard ball
n Kinetic energy is not conserved
n Perfectly inelastic collisions occur when the objects
stick together
q Elastic collisions: billiard ball
n both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved

December 18, 2018

 Collisions Summary
q In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic
energy are conserved
q In a non-perfect inelastic collision, momentum is
conserved but kinetic energy is not. Moreover, the
objects do not stick together
q 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
q Elastic and perfectly inelastic collisions are limiting cases,
most actual collisions fall in between these two types
q Momentum is conserved in all collisions

December 18, 2018

More about Perfectly Inelastic
Collisions
q When two objects stick together
after the collision, they have
undergone a perfectly inelastic
collision
q Conservation of momentum
m1v1i + m2 v2i = (m1 + m2 )v f
m1v1i + m2 v2i
vf =
m1 + m2
q Kinetic energy is NOT conserved

December 18, 2018

 Ex6: An SUV Versus a Compact
q An SUV with mass 1.80 103 kg is travelling eastbound at
+15.0 m/s, while a compact car with mass 9.00 102 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.
December 18, 2018
 An SUV Versus a Compact
(a) Find the speed of the entangled m = 1.80 ´103 kg , v = +15m / s
1 1i
cars after the collision.
m2 = 9.00 ´10 kg , v2i = -15m / s
2

pi = p f

m1v1i + m2 v2i = (m1 + m2 )v f

m1v1i + m2 v2i
vf =
m1 + m2
v f = +5.00 m / s

December 18, 2018

 An SUV Versus a Compact
(b) Find the change in the velocity m1 = 1.80 ´10 3 kg , v1i = +15m / s
of each car.
m2 = 9.00 ´10 2 kg , v2i = -15m / s
v f = +5.00 m / s
Dv1 = v f - v1i = -10.0m / s
Dv2 = v f - v2i = +20.0m / s

m1Dv1 = m1 (v f - v1i ) = -1.8 ´10 4 kg × m / s

m2 Dv2 = m2 (v f - v2i ) = +1.8 ´10 4 kg × m / s

m1Dv1 + m2Dv2 = 0
December 18, 2018
 An SUV Versus a Compact
(c) Find the change in the kinetic
m
energy of the system consisting 1 = 1.80 ´ 10 3
kg , v1i = +15m / s
of both cars. m2 = 9.00 ´10 2 kg , v2i = -15m / s

v f = +5.00 m / s

1 1
KEi = m1v1i + m2v22i = 3.04 ´10 5 J
2

2 2
1 1
KE f = m1v1 f + m2v22 f = 3.38 ´10 4 J
2

2 2
DKE = KE f - KEi = -2.70 ´105 J
December 18, 2018
 More About Elastic
Collisions
q Both momentum and kinetic energy
are conserved
m1v1i + m2v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
1 1 1 1
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v22 f
2 2 2

2 2 2 2

q Typically have two unknowns

q Momentum is a vector quantity
n Direction is important
n Be sure to have the correct signs
q Solve the equations simultaneously

December 18, 2018

 Elastic Collisions
q A simpler equation can be used in place of the KE
equation 1 1 1 1
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v22 f
2 2 2

2 2 2 2
m1 (v12i - v12f ) = m2 (v22 f - v22i )
v - v = -( v - v )
m1 (v11i i- v1 f )(v21ii + v1 f ) = m21(fv2 f - v22i )(f v2 f + v2i )
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f m1 (v1i - v1 f ) = m2 (v2 f - v2i )

v1i + v1 f = v2 f + v2i
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
December 18, 2018
 Summary of Types of
Collisions
q In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic
energy are conserved
v1i + v1 f = v2 f + v2i m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

q In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but

kinetic energy is not
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

q 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
m1v1i + m2 v2i = (m1 + m2 )v f
December 18, 2018
 Ex7: Conservation of
Momentum
q An object of mass m moves to the right with a
speed v. It collides head-on with an object of
mass 3m moving with speed v/3 in the opposite
direction. If the two objects stick together, what
is the speed of the combined object, of mass 4m,
after the collision?
(A) 0
(B) v/2
(C) v
(D) 2v
(E) 4v

December 18, 2018

 Problem Solving for 1D
Collisions, 1
q Coordinates: Set up a
coordinate axis and define
the velocities with respect
to this axis
n It is convenient to make
your axis coincide with one
of the initial velocities
q Diagram: In your sketch,
draw all the velocity
vectors and label the
velocities and the masses

December 18, 2018

 Problem Solving for 1D
Collisions, 2
q Conservation of
Momentum: Write a
general expression for the
total momentum of the
system before and after
the collision
n Equate the two total
momentum expressions
n Fill in the known values
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
December 18, 2018
 Problem Solving for 1D
Collisions, 3
q Conservation of Energy:
If the collision is elastic,
write a second equation
for conservation of KE, or
the alternative equation
n This only applies to perfectly
elastic collisions
v1i + v1 f = v2 f + v2i

q Solve: the resulting

equations simultaneously
December 18, 2018
One-Dimension vs Two-
Dimension

December 18, 2018

 Two-Dimensional Collisions
q 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
m1v1ix + m2 v2ix = m1v1 fx + m2 v2 fx
m1v1iy + m2v2iy = m1v1 fy + m2 v2 fy

December 18, 2018

 Two-Dimensional Collisions
q The momentum is conserved in all directions
q Use subscripts for m1v1ix + m2 v2ix = m1v1 fx + m2 v2 fx
n Identifying the object m1v1iy + m2v2iy = m1v1 fy + m2 v2 fy
n Indicating initial or final values
n The velocity components
q If the collision is elastic, use conservation of
kinetic energy as a second equation
n Remember, the simpler equation can only be used
for one-dimensional situations
v1i + v1 f = v2 f + v2i
December 18, 2018
 Glancing Collisions

q The “after” velocities have x and y components

q Momentum is conserved in the x direction and in the
y direction
q Apply conservation of momentum separately to each
direction mv +m v =mv +m v
1 1ix 2 2 ix 1 1 fx 2 2 fx

m1v1iy + m2v2iy = m1v1 fy + m2 v2 fy

December 18, 2018
 2-D Collision, example
q Particle 1! is moving at
velocity v1i and
particle 2 is at rest
q In the x-direction, the
initial momentum is
m1v1i
q In the y-direction, the
initial momentum is 0

December 18, 2018

2-D Collision, example cont
q After the collision, the
momentum in the x-direction is
m1v1f cos q + m2v2f cos f
q After the collision, the
momentum in the y-direction is
m1v1f sin q + m2v2f sin f
m1v1i + 0 = m1v1 f cos q + m2v2 f cos f
0 + 0 = m1v1 f sin q - m2 v2 f sin f

q If the collision is elastic, apply 1 1 1

m1v12i = m1v12f + m2 v22 f
the kinetic energy equation 2 2 2
December 18, 2018
 Ex8: Collision at an
Intersection
q A car with mass 1.5×103 kg traveling
east at a speed of 25 m/s collides at
an intersection with a 2.5×103 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.
mc = 1.5 ´103 kg , mv = 2.5 ´103 kg
vcix = 25m / s, vviy = 20m / s, v f = ?q = ?
December 18, 2018
 Collision at an Intersection
mc = 1.5 ´103 kg, mv = 2.5 ´103 kg
vcix = 25 m/s, vviy = 20 m/s, v f = ?q = ?

åp xi = mc vcix + mv vvix = mc vcix = 3.75 ´10 4 kg × m/s

åp xf = mc vcfx + mv vvfx = (mc + mv )v f cosq

3.75 ´10 4 kg × m/s = (4.00 ´103 kg)v f cosq

å yi c ciy v viy v viy

p = m v + m v = m v = 5.00 ´ 10 4
kg × m/s

åp yf = mc vcfy + mv vvfy = (mc + mv )v f sin q

5.00 ´10 4 kg × m/s = (4.00 ´103 kg)v f sin q

December 18, 2018

 Collision at an Intersection
mc = 1.5 ´103 kg , mv = 2.5 ´103 kg
vcix = 25m / s, vviy = 20m / s, v f = ?q = ?

5.00 ´10 4 kg × m/s = (4.00 ´103 kg)v f sin q

3.75 ´10 4 kg × m/s = (4.00 ´103 kg)v f cosq
5.00 ´10 4 kg × m / s
tan q = = 1.33
3.75 ´10 kg × m / s
4

q = tan -1 (1.33) = 53.1!

5.00 ´10 4 kg × m/s
vf = = 15.6 m/s
(4.00 ´10 kg ) sin 53.1
3 !

December 18, 2018

P1:

P2:

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P3:

P4:

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P5:

P6:

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P7:

P8:

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P9:

P10:

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