Solution of Momentum

1. (b) By definition, Impulse =
 dt, Note that the statement (c) is also correct but not the definition of
impulse

2. (c) (1) In the region 0  t  t0, the slope of the p-t graph starts with a positive maximum value and then
decreases at a constant rate to zero at t = t0. Therefore, F t graph is a straight line with a negative
slope. The positive on F-axis indicates the positive slope of p-t graph at t = 0.
(2) In the region t0  t  2t0, the slope of p-t graph starts decreasing and becomes more and more
negative as the value of t increases. At t = 2t0, the negative slope has its maximum value, therefore,
the negative value of F is maximum at t = 2t0.

3. (d) Note that (1) The rate of change of momentum of each particle is the same because the same
constant force acts on each particle. Dp/dt = F = constant
(2) The acceleration of the particles will be different. A 1/m

4. (a) (1) Centre of mass is a mathematical point ; it does not occupy space and it cannot carry mass.
(2) It always lie on the axis of symmetry if it exists.
(3) It may coincide with the position of a particle if the system consists of more than two particles.

5. (b) The centre of mass is defined as the weighted average of the position vector of all the particles.
For a discrete system : Xc = mixi/M ; yc = miyi/M
For a continuous system : xc = x dm/M ; yc = y dm/M,
(1) The motion of the centre of mass of a system is always the simplest but it is not the definition.

6. (c) (1) Since the velocity of centre of mass cannot change in the absence of external forces, therefore,
the energy associated with the motion of centre of mass remains constant.
i.e. Kc = Mvc2 = constant,
(2) But the kinetic energy of the system with respect to centre of mass k may or may not change.

7. (b) Applying momentum conservation of the system (man + trolley), we get mv1 Mv2 = 0 and, v1 + v2 = Urel
(relative velocity of man with respect to trolley) or v2 = murel/m + M

8. (a) From the above solution v1 = urel v2 or v1 = Murel/m + M

9. (c) The time taken t = distance travelled by man w.r.t. trolley/velocity of man w.r.t. trolley
or t = xrel/urel = L/urel

10. (d) Since no external force acts on the system in the horizontal direction, therefore, centre of mass
does not accelerate. Thus, ac = dvc/dt = 0, vc = constant
Initially, the centre of mass is stationary, therefore, it remains stationary

11. (a) The distance moved by the trolley is x2 = v2t = (murel/m + M) L/xrel = mL/m + M

12. (b) The distance moved by the man with respect to ground is x1 = L x2 = ML/m + M

13. (d) (1) If the trolley does not move backward, then the momentum will not be conserved with respect to
ground. (2) The distance moved by the trolley depends only on the distance travelled by the
 man irrespective of the velocity of man. (3) Since the distance traveled by trolley is mL/m + M,
therefore, it cannot exceed because m/m + M < 1.

14. (a,d) Let T be the tensile impulse generated in the string. Then, applying impulse-momentum
T
theorem on, block : mv 0 = J T (1), block 2m : 2mv 0 = T (2)
T
Adding equations (1) and (2), we get, 3mv = J or v = J/3m J
(2) Since the net impulse on the combined system of both the masses act in the upward m
v T v
directions, therefore, then centre of mass moves upward. 2m

15. (a,b,c,d) From the above solution, the value of T is given by T = 2/3 J/m, Thus, the net impulse acting
(1) on block 2m is T = 2/3 J/m (2) on block m is J T = J/3m
(3) on the whole system (m + 2m) is T = 2T = 4/3 J/m

16. (b,c,d) (1) Since m1 moves with constant velocity with respect to trolley, therefore, the trolley also
moves with constant velocity.
(2) Obviously, the distance moved by the trolley is X = m1L/m1 + m2 + M
(3) The displacement of centre of mass is zero because it remains stationary.
(4) The final velocity of trolley must be zero, otherwise, the momentum will not be conserved.

17. (all) (1) When m2 moves a distance L w.r.t. trolley, the trolley moves towards left by m2L/m1 + m2 + M.
(2) Note that the total distance traveled by the trolley is D = (m1 + m2) L/m1 + m2 + M

18. (b) (1) Since both the men move with equal and opposite velocities Urel, therefore, the total momentum of
the men with respect to ground is not zero. Hence the trolley moves with respect o ground.
(2) Both the men reach simultaneously, because t = L/Urel is equal for both the men.

19. (all) (1) Since  ext = 0 in each case, therefore, c = 0 and  c = constant = zero;
(2) The displacement of the trolley is independent of the motion of men on the trolley.
(3) In no case, the displacement of trolley cannot exceed | m1 m2 | L/m1 + m2 + M
m
20. (b) At the highest position the particle becomes stationary with respect to trolley.
v
Therefore, velocity of particle and trolley are equal. Using momentum conservation
m h v
(M + m) v = mv0, or v = mv0/M + m
v0 M
21. (a) Since the particle does not move normal to the wedge, therefore, e = 0.

22. (b,c,d) (1) Since no external force is acting in the horizontal direction, therefore, velocity of centre of
mass is constant and it is equal to vc = mv0/m + M
(2) Thus, kinetic energy of centre of mass is constant k = (m + M)vc2 = constant.
(3) The kinetic energy w.r.t. centre of mass k is converted into potential energy.

23. (c) Applying mechanical energy conservation w.r.t. centre of mass,

K + u = 0, or K = (mM/m + M) v02 = mgh

24. (c) (1) Initially, when the particle is at its highest position the centre of mass is moving, therefore, it
keeps on moving with the same speed as there is no external force acting an the system in the
horizontal direction. (2) The particle and the wedge attains momentum with respect
to centre of mass in the opposite directions. (3) When the particle has moved down, it separates
from the wedge with same speed with which it has approached.
25. (b,c) Applying momentum conservation in the ground frame, we get Pf = Pi, Mv2 mv1 = mv0

26. (c,d) After solving the two equations mention in the above solution, we get
v1 = (M + m/M + m) v0, v2 = (2m/M + m) v0
(2) The final kinetic energy of the particle is Kf = mv12 = mv02 (M m/M + m)
Since v02/2 = gh (M + m/M), therefore, Kf = mgh (1 m/M)
(3) The ratio Kf/Ki = M m/M + m z

27. (a,b,c,d) From the solution we know that v2 = (2m/M + m) v0

or kf = Mv22 = 2Mm2v02/(M + m)2 = 4m2/(m + M) gh
(2) The gain in kinetic energy is K = Kf ki = [4mM/(m + M)2] (1/2 mv02)

28. (a,b) (1) Since no external impulse acts in the horizontal direction, therefore, momentum of the system
is conserved in the horizontal direction.
(2) Since the wedge does not exert any impulse on the ball in the direction parallel to the plane of
the wedge, therefore, momentum of the ball is conserved parallel to the wedge.
(3) The centre of mass does not remain stationary because an external gravity is acting in the
vertical direction. It acceleration downward.

29. (b) Since v0 sin = v1 sin and v1 < v0, therefore >
v1 cos
30. (c) e = velocity of separation/velocity of approach or e = v1 cos + v2 sin /v0 cos
or ev0 cos = v1 cos + v2 sin v2

900 -

v2 sin