Momentum Change & Collision Questions: Answered

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In summary, this conversation covers various problems involving momentum, impulse, and elastic collisions. The first problem asks for the magnitude of change in a baseball's momentum after being batted back to the pitcher. The second problem involves a miniature gun and air puck system, and asks for the speed of the bullet. The third problem discusses the impulse received by three satellites with different masses after being separated in deep space. Lastly, the fourth problem requires the application of the conservation of momentum principle to find the final velocity of an object after an elastic collision.
  • #1
ebayunderground
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1 Jerome pitches a baseball of mass 0.20 kg. The ball arrives at home plate with a speed of 40 m/s and is batted straight back to Jerome with a return speed of 60 m/s. What is the magnitude of change in the ball's momentum?

A 4.0 kg-m/s
B 8.0 kg-m/s
C 18 kg-m/s
D 20 kg-m/s


2 A miniature spring-loaded, radio-controlled gun is mounted on an air puck. The gun's bullet has a mass of 5.00 g, and the gun and puck have a combined mass of 120 g. With the system initially at rest, the radio controlled trigger releases the bullet causing the puck and empty gun to move with a speed of 0.500 m/s. What is the bullet's speed?

A 4.80 m/s
B 11.5 m/s
C 48.0 m/s
D 12.0 m/s


3 Three satellites are launched into space connected together. Once in deep space, an explosive charge separates the three satellites and they move apart. The satellites each have different masses with m1 < m2 < m3. Which of the following statements is always true?

A The one with mass m1 receives the greatest impulse.
B The one with mass m3 receives the greatest impulse.
C They all must receive equal impulses.
D Although one or more of the above statements could be true in special cases, they are not always true.


4 A 20-kg object sitting at rest is struck elastically in a head-on collision with a 10-kg object initially moving at +3.0 m/s. Find the final velocity of the 20-kg object after the collision.

A -1.0 m/s
B -2.0 m/s
C +1.5 m/s
D +2.0 m/s
 
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  • #2
Seems like straightforward change in momentum/conservation of momentum problems. What are you having trouble with.
 
  • #3
I missed the class and don't know how to set it up so if you could show me how to set it up and the answer i'll try it and see if i get it right thanks
 
  • #4
1) If you know the definition of momentum, then you'll know how to define a change in momentum, too.

2) Use the fact that momentum is conserved.

3) Start off with the definition of impulse.

4) What is conserved in an ellastic collision?
 

FAQ: Momentum Change & Collision Questions: Answered

Question 1: What is momentum change?

Momentum change is the change in an object's momentum over time. It is calculated by subtracting the initial momentum from the final momentum.

Question 2: How is momentum change related to collisions?

In collisions, objects experience a change in momentum due to the force of impact. The force and duration of the impact determine the magnitude of the momentum change.

Question 3: What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

Elastic collisions are those in which the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved, meaning that no energy is lost to heat or sound. Inelastic collisions, on the other hand, involve a loss of kinetic energy due to factors such as deformation or friction.

Question 4: How is momentum conserved in a collision?

Momentum is conserved in a collision because the total momentum of the system before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision, as long as there are no external forces acting on the system.

Question 5: How do you calculate the change in momentum for a given object?

The change in momentum for an object is calculated by multiplying the mass of the object by its change in velocity. This can be expressed as Δp = mΔv, where Δp is the change in momentum, m is the mass of the object, and Δv is the change in velocity.

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