7.

1 The Impulse-Momentum Theorem

TRSP Fig. 7-1b: Force on a baseball.

Definition of Impulse: the impulse of a force is the

product of the average force F and the time interval
t during which the force acts:

Impulse = F t (7.1)

Impulse is a vector quantity and has the same direction

as the average force.

SI Unit of Impulse: newtonsecond ( N s)

Definition of Linear Momentum: the linear momen-

tum p of an object is the product of the objects
mass m and velocity v:

p = m

v (7.2)
TRSP Fig. 7.4: average force and velocity change

v
f v0
a= t


!
vf v0 m

vf m v

0
From N2: F =m t = t (7.3)

Impulse-Momentum Theorem: When a net

force acts on an object, the impulse of the net
force is equal to the change in momentum of
the object:

F t = m
v

f mv0 (7.4)

Impulse = Change in momentum

Ex. 1: Hitting a baseball (mass, m = 0.14 kg),

= 38 m/ s, v
initially v
= 58 m/ s, t = 1.6
0 f
103 s

m
(a) impulse = mv
v
f 0

= 0.14 kg [58 m/ s (38 m/ s)] = . 14 ( kg) 96.0 m

s =
13. 44 ( kg) m
s

impulse 13. 44( kg) m

(b) F = t = 1.6103 s
s = 8400.0 ( kg) sm2 or
N

Ex.2: Rain Storm:

= 15 m/ s, rate of rain is 0.060 kg/ s. Find aver-

v0
age force on the car if raindrops come to rest.

average force on the rain

m
m
vf
v

0

m



F= t = t v0

= 0.060 kg/ s 15 m/ s = . 9 ( kg) m

s or N

Force on roof = +. 9 ( kg) m

s or N
CEx. 3: Hailstones versus Raindrops: Hailstones re-
bound giving a greater force.

Problems 8, 10.

7.2 The Principle of Conservation of

Linear Momentum

TRSP Fig. 7.7 Concepts at a Glance

On page 195/6 Cutnell and Johnson prove that for an

isolated system (no external force, e.g. gravity):

Pf = Pi (7.7)

where Pf = m1
v
f1 + m2 vf 2,

and Pi = m1
v
i1 + m2 vi2
Principle of Conservation of Linear Momentum: The
total linear momentum of an isolated system remains
constant (is conserved). An isolated system is one for
which the vector sum of the external forces acting on
the system is zero.

CEx. 4: READ!

Ex. 5: Assembling a Freight Train:

m1 = 65 103 kg, v01 = +0.80 m/ s is overtaken by

m2 = 92 103 kg, v01 = +1.20 m/ s

Find the common velocity when they are coupled:

(m1 + m2) vf = m1v01 + m2v02

which solves for vf = m1vm01+m 2 v02 1.0 m/ s

1+ m2

Ex.6: Ice Skaters: TRSP Fig. 7.11: simply a case of

total momentum being zero - READ
[CJ4: CEx. 5. Firing Blanks]

Problems 20, 46

REASONING STRATEGY: page 200 - READ

7.3 Collisions in One Dimension

Elastic collisions

Inelastic collisions

TRSP Fig. 7.13

Ex. 7: 1D collision: m1 = 0.250 kg, v01 = 5.00 m/ s

collides head-on with m2 = 0.800 kg, v02 = 0 (at
rest):

Fig. 7.12 (DRAW)

m1vf1 + m2vf 2 = m1v01 + 0 (A)

1 m v2 + 12 m2vf2
2 = 1 m v2 + 0 (B)
2 1 f1 2 1 01

Generalization of 1D to include an initially moving m2:

m1vf1 + m2vf 2 = m1v01 + m2v02 (A)

1 m v2 + 12 m2vf2
2 = 1 m v2 + 1 m v2 (B)
2 1 f1 2 1 01 2 2 02

SIMPLIFY THE VARIABLES:

m1 = a, m2 = b, vf 1 = x, vf2 = y, v01 = c, v02 =

d:

Solve A: ax + by = ac + bd,
n o
Solution is : y= xaacbd
b ,

eliminate y in B after dropping the halves:

ax2 + by 2 = ac2 + bd2 gives a quadratic in x:

2
ax2 +b xaacbd = ac2 + bd2,
b

Solutions are : {x = c} ,
n o
and x = 2bd+accb
b+a

The first solution is incompatible with a moving m2

after the collision, hence we choose the second solu-
tion to substitute into the momentum equation, A:

ax + by = ac a 2bd+accb + by = ac,
b+a

n o
Solution is : y= 2a d+c
b+a ,

NOW set d = v02 = 0:

m1m2
Thus vf 1 = m1+m2 v01 (7.8a)

2m1
and vf 2 = m1 +m2 v01 (7.8b)

Using the numerical values: vf 1 = 2.62 m/ s (so ball

1 rebounds left) and vf 2 = +2.38 m/ s

N.B. if m1 < m2 then vf1 will be negative.

ALSO if m1 = m2 then vf1 will be zero (stationary).

Ex. 8: Ballistic Pendulum:

Fig. 7.15 (DRAW)

bullet: m1 = 0.01 kg , speed v01; block of wood:

m2 = 2.5 kg rises to h = 0.65 m: Find v01.

conserve momentum: (m1 + m2) vf = m1v01(a),

n vf o
Solution is : v01 = (m1 + m2) m
1

conserve energy: (m1 + m2) ghf = 12 (m1 + m2) vf2 (b),

CANCEL common factor, so that:

vf2 = 2ghf

Numerically: vf = 3.57 m/ s and v01 = 896 m/ s.

7.4 Collisions in Two Dimensions

TRSP Fig. 7.16

Ex. 9: 2D collision: DATA IN FIG. 7.15:

x component: Pf x = P0x (7.9a)

(15 kg) vf1x + (26 kg) (0.7 m/ s) (cos 35 ) =

(15 kg) (0.9 m/ s) (sin 50 ) + (26 kg) (0.54 m/ s)

vf 1x = (14. 909 + 24. 382) /15.0 = . 631 53 m/ s

y component: Pf y = P0x (7.9b)

(15 kg) vf1y + (26 kg) (0.7 m/ s) (sin 35 ) =

(15 kg) (0.9 m/ s) (cos 50 ) + 0

vf 1y = (10. 439 + 8. 677 6) /15.0 = . 117 43 m/ s

The final speed of m1 is:

1
vf 1 = . 631 532 2
+ . 117 43 2 = . 642 35 m/ s

and its direction has:

= arctan . 117 43 = . 183 85 rad or 10.5
. 631 53

7.7 Centre of Mass

(abbreviate: CM)
xCM = m1mx1+m 2 x2 +... (7.10)
1 +m2 +...

For 2 masses, if m1 = m2 = m ,

then xCM = 12 (x1 + x2).

Symmetric objects have the CM at their geometric

centres.

Velocity of the CM:

xCM = m1x1 +m2x2

m1 +m2

divide by t:

vCM = m1mv1+m 2 v2 (7.11)

1 +m2