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Conservation of Linear Momentum (HL IB Physics)

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Conservation of Linear Momentum

Linear Momentum

  • When an object with mass is in motion and therefore has a velocity, the object also has momentum
  • Linear momentum is the momentum of an object that is moving in only one dimension
  • The linear momentum of an object remains constant unless an external resultant force acts upon the system
  • Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity

space p space equals space m v

  • Where:
    • p = momentum, measured in kg m s−1 
    • m = mass, measured in kg
    • v = velocity, measured in m s−1 

Direction of Momentum

  • Momentum is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction
    • The initial direction of motion is usually assigned the positive direction
  • If a ball of mass 60 g travels at 2 m s−1, it will have a momentum of 0.12 kg m s−1
  • If it then hits a wall and rebounds in the exact opposite direction at the same speed, it will have a momentum of −0.12 kg m s−1

Negative momentum, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

When the ball is travelling in the opposite direction, its velocity is negative. Since momentum = mass × velocity, its momentum is also negative

Conservation of Linear Momentum

  • The principle of conservation of linear momentum states that:

The total linear momentum before a collision is equal to the total linear momentum after a collision unless the system is acted on by a resultant external force

  • Therefore:

momentum before = momentum after

  • Momentum is a vector quantity, therefore:
    • opposing vectors can cancel each other out, resulting in a net momentum of zero
    • an object that collides with another object and rebounds, has a positive velocity before the collision and a negative velocity after 

  • Momentum, just like energy, is always conserved
  • For example:
    • Ball A moves with an initial velocity of u subscript A
    • Ball A collides with Ball B which is stationary
  • After the collision, both balls travel in opposite directions
    • Taking the direction of the initial motion of Ball A as the positive direction (to the right) 
    • The momentum before the collision is

p subscript b e f o r e end subscript space equals space m subscript A u subscript A space plus space 0

    • The momentum after the collision is

p subscript a f t e r end subscript space equals space minus m subscript A v subscript A space plus thin space m subscript B v subscript B

  • The minus sign shows that Ball A travels in the opposite direction to the initial travel 
    • If an object is stationary, like Ball B before the collision, then it has a momentum of zero

conversation-of-momentum

The conservation of momentum for two objects A and B colliding then moving apart

Worked example

A tennis ball of mass 60 g travels to the right with a speed of 75 m s−1.

A brick of mass 3 kg is thrown to the right at a speed of 1.5 m s−1.   

Determine which object has the greatest momentum.

WE - Momentum comparison question image, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Answer:

WE - Momentum comparison answer image, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

  • Both the tennis ball and the brick have the same momentum
  • Even though the brick is much heavier than the ball, the ball is travelling much faster than the brick
  • This means that on impact, they would both exert a similar force (depending on the time it takes for each to come to rest)

Worked example

Trolley A of mass 0.80 kg collides head-on with stationary trolley B whilst travelling at 3.0 m s–1.

Trolley B has twice the mass of trolley A. On impact, the trolleys stick together.

Using the conversation of momentum, calculate the common velocity of both trolleys after the collision.

Worked example - 1D momentum quesions solution

Worked example

The diagram shows a car and a van which is initially at rest, just before and just after the car collides with the van.WE Conservation of Momentum Question image, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Use the idea of conservation of momentum to calculate the velocity of the van when it is pushed forward by the collision.

Answer:

Step 1: State the principle of the conservation of momentum

  • In a closed system, the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event

 

Step 2: Calculate the total momentum before the collision

p = mv

  • Momentum of car:

pcar = 990 × 10 = 9900 kg m/s

 

  • Momentum of van:

The van is at rest, therefore v = 0 m/s and pvan = 0 kg m/s

 

  • Total momentum before:

pbefore = 9900 + 0 = 9900 kg m/s

Step 3: Calculate the momentum after the collision

  • Conservation of momentum states that total momentum after collision = 9900 kg m/s
  • Momentum of car:

pcar = 990 × 2 = 1980 kg m/s

  • Momentum of van:

pvan = 4200 × v = 4200v kg m/s

 

Step 4: Calculate the velocity of the van after the collision

  • Total momentum after collision:

pcar + pvan = 1980 + 4200v = 9900

  • Rearrange to make v the subject:

4200v = 9900 − 1980

v space equals space 7920 over 4200 space equals space 1.89 m/s

  • The velocity of the van when it is pushed forward by the collision v = 1.89 m/s

Exam Tip

If it is not given in the question already, drawing a diagram of before and after helps keep track of all the masses and velocities (and directions) in the conversation of momentum questions. Even if one is given, label all the values that you have been given in the question to make sure you're substituting in the correct masses and velocities.

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Ashika

Author: Ashika

Ashika graduated with a first-class Physics degree from Manchester University and, having worked as a software engineer, focused on Physics education, creating engaging content to help students across all levels. Now an experienced GCSE and A Level Physics and Maths tutor, Ashika helps to grow and improve our Physics resources.