CHAPTER 3

FORCE, IMPULSE &

MOMENTUM
( 5 hours )

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 Chapter outline :
3.1 Force
3.2 Newton’s Laws of motion
3.3 Linear Momentum & Principle of
conservation of momentum
3.4 Elastic and Inelastic collisions
3.5 Impulse

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3.1 FORCE
• Force is a physical quantity which causes an object
to :
 move
 stop
 change its direction
 change its physical form.

• Force is a vector quantity ( has both magnitude and direction)

• Unit of force : Newton (N) or kg m s-2

1 N = 1kg m s-2

• Resultant force (net force) is the summation of forces that act

on a body.
3
  A stationary particle moves, because a net external force (resultant
force) has acted on it.
eg: 5N
Net force = 3 N , the object is moving to the right.

 A moving particle stops, or changes its direction, because of a net

external force (resultant force).
eg:
5N 5N Net force = 0 N , the object is stationary.
(i)

3N 5N
(ii) Net force = 5 – 3 = 2N , the object is moving to the right.

5N 2N
(iii)
Net force = 2 –5 = -3N , the object is moving to the left.

Object P is initially moving to the right.

(iv) When a force of 5 N acts on it, it changes its direction.
P
5N 4
2 methods to determine the resultant force :

1) Geometrical method ( polygon of forces )

r n
FR   Fi  F1  F2  ......  Fn
i 1

So, the resultant force ;

Example : F2
F1 F3
F1 F2 F3 F4
FR F4

5
1) Mathematical method (resolving of forces)
Magnitude of resultant force :
r
 F   F 
2 2
FR  x y

Where : n
Fx   Fix  F1x  F2 x  ...........  Fnx
i 1
n
Fy   Fiy  F1 y  F2 y  ...........  Fny
i 1

Direction :

  tan  1
 F
y



 F
x

 6
Example : 5N
10 N

30o 60o
Find the resultant force at point O. O 45o

20 N
Solution :
 F   F 
2 2
F x  10cos 60  5cos30  20cos 45
0 0 0 FR  x y

 5  4.33  14.14  15.1N

 14.81N

  tan 
1
 F y


 Fy  10sin 60  5sin 30  20sin 45
0 0 0 
 F x


 8.66  2.5  14.14 =  11.380
 2.98 N

∴F = 15.1 N at 11.38o below positive x-axis. 7

Types of basic forces :
(1) Gravitational force ;

 force of attraction of 2 particles.

 always act toward the centre of earth or planet.
 ‘what goes up must comes down.’
 very weak unless the objects involved have a large mass
 long range

8
(2) Electromagnetic force ;
 the combination of electric force and magnetic
force.
 either attractive or repulsive force
 force between particles with charges is called
electrostatic force - like charges repel, unlike
charges attract.
Example: electrons are attracted by protons in
nucleus. Protons inside the nucleus repel each
other.
 Force between magnetic materials is called
magnetic force - magnets with like poles repel,
unlike poles attract.
 A conductor with current experiences a force
called electromagnetic force in a magnetic field.

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(3) Weak nuclear force
 acts on nucleons in the nucleus – causes nucleus to
be unstable and eventually the nucleus decay.
 weak
 very short range

(4) Strong nuclear force

 acts on nucleons in nucleus – binds nucleons in nucleus
 keeps protons in nucleus, though they repel each other.
 strong
 short range

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All forces that occur in nature may be grouped into
the following types of interactions:

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3.2 NEWTON’S LAW of MOTION
Newton’s First Law
(law of inertia)

Newton’s Second Law

(make use of concept of mass
and weight)

Newton’s Third Law

(forces occur in pairs)

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 Newton’s First Law of Motion
States :
• Every body continues in its state of rest or of
uniform speed in a straight line as long as no net
force acts on it.

• In equation : r r
F  0  a  0 m s -2

where ; r
F  net force or resultant force

• This law explains what happens to an object when no

forces act on it.
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Garfield testing
Newton’s First Law of
Motion

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Inertia
Definition :
 Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist any
changes in its state of rest or motion.
 In other words : ‘Objects’ tend to keep on doing
what they’re doing.
 Inertia is solely dependent upon mass of the object.

⇒Object with more mass has more inertia

meaning that it has more tendency to resist
changes in its state of motion.
⇒ If two bodies are moving, it is difficult to stop
the heavier body than the lighter body
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Snoopy experiencing Inertia

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Experiments about Inertia

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18
Real Experiences of Inertia

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For safety, safety belt must
be fastened to prevent the
body from moving forward
when there is an
emergency break !

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 Newton’s Second Law
States :
 The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the
net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its
mass. The direction of the acceleration is in the direction
of the net force acting on the object.

 In equation :
where;
r
r F a = acceleration
a ΣF = net force
m m = mass

Rearranging ; r r
F  ma
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Restating of the Newton’s Second Law :
 The rate of change of momentum is proportional to the net
applied force and is in the direction of the straight line
along which the force acts.
r r
 ( mv )
∝ F
t
For constant m ,
r r
 v 
m  ∝ F
 t 
r r
ma ∝ F
r
r
a ∝ F
In equation : r m
F  ma 22
Pull Force

23
Push Force

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Note :
 The direction of the acceleration is the same
as the direction of the applied net force.

 S.I.unit of force :
1 newton is the force that produces an
acceleration of 1 m s-2 when acting on a
1 kg mass.
Therefore, 1 N = 1 kg m s-2

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 REMEMBER !!! Mass and weight are two different quantities.

Mass Weight
•An inherent property of a body Force exerted on an object by
•A quantitative measure of the inertia gravitational field
of a body
The force required per unit of W = mg = Fg
acceleration , m  F
a
The value of mass is independent of Weight varies slightly with altitude
location because it depends on the strength of
the gravitational field.
eg : gearth ≠ gmoon
Scalar quantity Vector quantity
SI unit : kilogram (kg) SI unit : kg m s-2 or newton (N)

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Center of Mass
Definition :
 The point at which all the mass can be considered
to be ‘concentrated’.

 n n

 m x m y
i i i  i
( xcm , ycm )   i 1
n
, i 1
n

 



i 1
mi i 1
mi 

Note :
 A force that exerts on the center of mass will cause the
object to make a translational motion.
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Center of Gravity
Definition :
 The point at which all the weight exerts on the
object.

 n n

 ∑wi xi ∑wi yi 
( xcg , ycg ) =  i =1 i =1
, n 
 n 
 ∑wi ∑ wi 
 i =1 i =1 

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Center of mass and center of
gravity for a uniform and
symmetrical object is at the
center point of the object.

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Example : Centre of mass
An object with two masses m1 and m2 at the each end of a
light rod, d in length. Find the center of mass of the object in
terms of m1 , m2 and d.
Solution : d
m1 m2
A
xcm
Centre of mass from A ;
m1 (0) + m2 ( d )
xcm =
m1 + m2
 m2 
=  d
 m1 + m2  30
2 x1 + 3x 4
2+3

Example: Centre of mass

Given the masses of A and B are 2 kg and 3 kg respectively.
The coordinates of A and B are ( 1,2) and ( 4,10). Find the
centre of mass of A and B.

Solution:
Using the formula : B
A

(2 1)  (3  4) (2  2  3 10)
x ,y
23 23
= 2.8 = 6.8

Centre of mass = ( 2.8, 6.8)

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Newton’s Third Law of Motion
States :
 For every action (force) there is a reaction (opposing
force) of equal magnitude but are opposite in
direction.These two forces act on two different bodies.

Explanation :
 Whenever one object exerts a force FAB on a second object.
The second exerts an equal and opposite force FBA on the
first.
FAB = -FBA
A B
FAB FBA
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Example :

When you push on the wall it will push back with the
same magnitude of force but in the opposite direction.
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 Weight, W of the object exerted on the table ⇒ action.

 The normal force, N produced by the table to oppose the weight

⇒ reaction.

 N and W are equal in magnitude, but are opposite in direction

(the forces are equal and opposite).
Normal
force, N

Weight, W

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Normal Force

Definition :
 The contact force exerted by a surface onto a
body resting or sliding on the surface and acts
perpendicularly to the surface.
N
N

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 A body may be acted on by a number of forces simultaneously. A
free-body diagram shows all forces acting on the object, including
the gravitational force (weight of the object).
Example :

a) b) r
N

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c) Two objects connected by a lightweight cord strung over a
frictionless pulley.
Free-body diagram for the ball :

Free-body diagram
for the block :
m2

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d) Two objects connected by a massless inextensible cord over
a frictionless pulley.

Free-body Free-body
diagram for m1 : diagram for m2 :

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Example : Newton’s Law of Motion
Two boxes A and B of masses 4 kg and 2 kg respectively are
suspended by a string through a pulley . If the system is released, find
the acceleration of the system.
Solution :
Both balls move with the same acceleration a, as
they are connected.
T
For ball A: Σ F = Ma
B
T a Mg – T = Ma
mg 4g – T = 4a ..................(1)
a A
For ball B: Σ F = ma
T- mg = ma
T- 2g = 2a ....................(2)
Mg
(1) + (2) : 2g = 6 a ; ⇒ a = ⅓ g = 3.27 ms-2. 39
Example : Newton’s Law of motion
An object A, of mass 4 kg on a smooth table is connected with another
object B, of mass 2 kg by a string through a pulley. Find the
acceleration of the system and the tension in the string.
Solution : For object B:
a ΣF = ma
mg – T = ma
A
T T 2g – T = 2a .....(1)

T For object A: ΣF = ma
T = Ma
T T = 4a .....(2)

B a (1) + (2) : 2g = 6a
⇒ a = ⅓ g = 3.27 m s-2

From (2) : T = 4a
W = 2g = 4(3.27) = 13.08 N 40
Forces of Friction
 Friction is the force that resists the motion of one surface
relative to another with which it is in contact.
e.g: Friction occurs when a body moves on a rough
surface or through a fluid medium (water, air, etc)

 The friction force on an object is opposite to its motion or

impending motion relative to the surface.
Normal force, N

f ∝ N Direction of motion
⇒ f =µN
friction force , f
where ;
Weight, W
µ= coefficient of friction
( µ depends on the object involves and on
the condition of the surface)
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Two Types of Friction Force
 Static Friction , fs

 Kinetic Friction , fk

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Static Friction
 Static friction, fs is the force of friction between two objects when there is
no motion.

 The friction force produced by the rough surface is called the limiting
friction force.

 The limiting friction force is the maximum friction force between two
surfaces.

 fs changes with the external force, Fext.

 fs ≤ µ sN where µ s = coefficient of static friction

N = magnitude of normal force

 If the external force, Fext is increased gradually at a certain value, the object
will start to move.

 Equality holds when the object is at the point of slipping.

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fs(max) = µ sN
 Coefficient of Static Friction, µs
 Coefficient of static friction is given by
F
s  from F= µs N
N

where F = limiting friction force,

N = Normal force.

 The magnitude of µs depends on the nature of the two surfaces.

 For smooth surfaces, µs = 0

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To determine µs N
F
Resolve the weight, W into two perpendicular
components.
W sin θ
Along the plane: W sin θ θ
Normal to the plane: W cos θ θ
W cos θ
Along the plane: ∑F = 0
F = W sin θ ..........(1) W

Normal to the plane: ∑F = 0

N = W cos θ ………(2)

F W sin 
(1)÷(2) ⇒  s    tan 
N W cos 
Note:

θ is between 0o and 90o, hence µs is between 0 and infinity.

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 Kinetic (dynamics) Friction
 Kinetic friction, fk is the force of friction between two objects
when there is motion.

 Kinetic friction force always opposes motion of a moving object.

 It is less than static friction force.( the force needed to start the
motion is more than the force needed to maintain its motion.)

fk = µ k N
where µ k = the coefficient of kinetic friction
N = the magnitude of the normal force

 fk is approximately constant for any given pair of materials.

46
Coefficient of Kinetic Friction, µk
 Coefficient of static friction is given by

fk
k  from fk = µkN
N

where fk = friction force when the object moves with

uniform velocity
N = normal force (or R )

 µ k is nearly independent of the velocity of the

object under consideration.
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Consider a block on a rough surface. An external
force is applied to the block ;

 if Fext < fs (max) the object won’t move.

 asFext increases, fs will increase until it reaches its

maximum value.

 when Fext = fs (max) the block will start to move

which is called the point of slipping.

 once the block starts to move the force of friction

acting on it is the kinetic friction, fk .
48
Note :

 Values of µ s and µ k depend on the nature of the

surfaces that are in contact.

 Usually µ k < µ s fk < fk .

 rubber on concrete µ = 1.0, µ = 0.8
s k
 waxed wood on wet snow µ = 0.14, µ = 0.10
s k

 µ s and µ k are nearly independent of the area of

contact between the two surfaces.
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 Example : Forces of friction
A block of weight 2 N is placed on a plane inclined at an angle 30o
with the horizontal. The coefficient of friction of the plane is
0.4 . Find the acceleration of this block :
a) If it is pushed up the plane with a constant force, F = 20 N,
b) If it is pulled down along the plane with the same force.
N
Solution
a) Normal to the plane: N = W cos θ W sin θ

Along the plane: 20N f

Friction force, f = µ N = (0.4)(2 cos 30o) )
3oo
= 0.69 N W cos θ
W=2N
∑F = ma
Fext – ( f + W sin θ )= ma
20 - (0.69 + 2 sin 30o) = 0.2a 50
 N

W sin θ
f
20N
)
3oo
W cos θ
b) Normal to the plane : N = W cos θ W=2N

Along the plane :

Friction force, f = µ N = (0.4)(2 cos 30o)

= 0.69 N

∑F = ma
(20 + W sin θ) - f = ma
(20 + 2 sin 30o) - 0.69 = 0.2a
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a = 101.6 ms-2.
 Example : Forces of Friction
Two wooden blocks, A and B of mass 2 kg and 4 kg respectively are connected by
a rope. The system is placed on a rough surface and the friction forces on A and B
are 2 N and 4 N.
Find the acceleration of the system, and the tension in the rope, if the system is
pulled by a force of 12 N.
Solution :
a The net force acting on the system,
ΣF = Fext – ( fA + fB )
12 N = 12- (2+4)
T B = 6 N.
A
fA=2 N fB=4 N For the system , ΣF = ma
6 = 6a
a = 1 m s-2.

For block A, ΣF = T- fA = T - 2
T - 2 = 2a
T - 2 = 2(1)
T = 4 N. 52
 Example : Forces of Friction
An object P, of mass 4 kg on a rough table is connected with another object Q, of
mass 2 kg by a string through a pulley. The friction force acting on P is 10 N.
Find the acceleration of the system and the tension in the string.
Solution :
a For object Q : ΣF = ma
mg – T = ma
T T
P 2g – T = 2a .....(1)
f=10 N For object P : ΣF = ma
T
T – 10 = ma
T – 10 = 4a .....(2)
T
(1) + (2) : 2g – 10 = 6a
Q a 2(9.81) – 10 = 6a
⇒ a = 1.60 m s-2

From (2) : T – 10 = 4a
W = 2g T = 4(1.60) + 10 = 16.453N
 3.3 Linear Momentum and the Principle of
Conservation of Linear Momentum
Linear Momentum
Definition :
Linear momentum p is the product of the mass of a particle m
and its velocity v for the particle moving in a straight line.
Momentum = mass x velocity
p = mv
Linear momentum is a vector quantity :
Product of a scalar (m) and a vector (v)
Direction : along v.
Dimension and unit :
Dimension : MLT-1
SI unit : kg m s-1 or N s
54
Application of Newton’s First and Second Laws of Motion

From Newton’s Second Law :

 dp 
F =
dt
 d ( mv)
F =
dt
 
dm dv
F =v +m
dt dt

55
  Case 1 :
 Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity but with
changing mass : 
  dm   dv 
F = v  + m 
 dt   dt 
  dm 
F = v  + m ( 0)
 dt 
  dm 
F = v 
 dt 
 Example : Rocket propulsion
• Hot burning gases are ejected by the rocket at uniform velocity ve , known
as the exhaust speed
• For m kg of gas per unit time t, the downward force,
   dm 
F  ve   where dm/dt is the rate of the mass of
 dt  gases ejected from the rocket 56
• By Newton’s 3rd Law, an equal and opposite force exerts on the rocket to propel
it upward. dv
dm dt
Thrust = ve
dt
(The thrust on the rocket is the force exerted on it
by the ejected exhaust gases.) M
Let,
M = mass of the rocket (and its remaining fuel)
dv = instantaneous acceleration of the rocket dm
dt dt
hence, dm   dM (The rate of mass of the gases ejected equals
dt dt the rate of decrease of the mass of the rocket) ve
and, dv dm dM
M  ve  ve
dt dt dt
vf Mf
dM
  dv  -ve
vi

Mi
M
Mi Mi
vf  vi  ve ln ⇒ vf  vi  ve ln (where vf = final velocity
Mf Mf 57
of the rocket)
 Case 2 :
 Object with constant mass but with changing velocity ,

   dm  
 dv 
F v  m  
 dt   dt 
  
F  v (0)  ma
 
F  ma
The time rate of change of the linear momentum of a particle is
equal to the net force acing on the particle.
⇒ Newton’s second law
58
 Case 3 :
 Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity and
constant mass ,
   dm  
 dv 
F v  m  
 dt   dt 
 
F  v (0)  m(0)

F 0
From Newton’s First Law of Motion :
 
dp
F 0
dt

p constant
59
60
 The Principle of Conservation of Linear Momentum
 “ When the net external force on a system of particles is zero,
the total momentum of the system is conserved.”
Or ;
 “ Provided there are no external forces acting on a system of
particles, the total momentum before collisions equals the
total momentum after collisions.”
From Newton’s First Law of Motion,
 
dp 
when F  0   p is constant ,
dt
hence,
Σ initial momentum = Σ final momentum
 
 pi   p f
For a collision involving two bodies :
   
m1u1  m2u2  m1v1  m2 v2
61
 Consider a system of two objects A and B :
Before collision During collision After collision
uA uB vA vB
A B A B
A B  
FA FB
  

uA = initial velocity of A  vA  uA  
vA = final velocity of A
FA  mA  
  t  
uB = initial velocity of B   vB = final velocity of B
  vB  uB 
FB  mB  
 t 
 
By Newton’s third law ; FA   FB
   
 vA  u A   vB  u B 
mA    mB  
 t   t 
   
mA uA  mBuB  mA vA  mB vB
⇒ Principle of conservation of linear momentum (if there is no external force)
62
Example: Linear momentum
The rain drops are falling at the rate of 2 kg s-1 with uniform
velocity 10 m s-1 on a roof, find the force exerts on the roof.

Solution:
dm
Given ,  2 kg s-1 ; v = 10 m s-1
dt

 dm 
Force, F  v  
 dt 
= 10 (2)
= 20 N

63
Example: Linear momentum
The velocity of a particle of mass 200 g moving in a straight
line, increases from 10 to 50 cm s-1 in 2 s.
Find the force which acted on this particle.

Solution :
Given , m = 200 x 10-3 kg,
v = 50 x 10-2 m s-1
u = 10 x 10-2 m s-1

m(v  u ) 200  103 [(50  10) 102 ]

Force, F  
t 2
= 0.04 s

64
 Example : Principle of conservation of linear momentum
A 1.5 kg ball was kicked with an initial velocity of 40 m s-1 at the angle of 30° with
the horizontal line. Calculate the initial momentum of the ball and also the
horizontal and vertical components of the initial momentum.
Solution :
y Momentum, p = mv
= (1.5 x 40) kg m s-1
v = 40 m s-1 = 60 kg m s-1
vy
Horizontal component of the momentum :
)30o px = mvx
x
m=1.5 kg vx = mv cos θ
= 60 cos 30°
= 51.96 kg m s-1
Vertical component of the momentum :
py = mvy
= mv sin θ
= 60 sin 30°
= 30 kg m s-1 65
 3.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Collision
 a process of mutual action between two or more bodies at an
instant
 total momentum of the colliding object is conserved , external
forces can be ignored
 total kinetic energy may or may not be conserved , may change
to heat or sound energy
 2 types of collisions – elastic and inelastic

Conservation of : Elastic collision Inelastic collision

Linear momentum √ √
Kinetic energy √ X
66
 Elastic collision
 Elastic collision ⇒ the total momentum and the total kinetic energy of the
system before and after collision is conserved.
   
Conservation of momentum : m1u1  m2u2  m1v1  m2 v2
2 1 2 1 2 1 2
2 m1u1  2 m2 u2  2 m1v1  2 m2 v2
Conservation of kinetic energy : 1

(i) Elastic collision in one dimension :

u1 u2 v1 v2
1 2 1 2 1 2
During After
Before
From both conservation of momentum and conservation of kinetic energy:

  m1  m2    2m2  
⇒ v1   u1   u2
 m1  m2   m1  m2 
and
  2m1    m2  m1  
⇒ v2   u1   u2
 m1  m2   m1  m2  67
If m2 is at rest, u2 = 0 ;
 (m  m2 )   2m1 
⇒ v1  1 u1 and v2  u1
(m1  m2 ) (m1  m2 )
Note :
If ;
 m1 = m2 ⇒ v1 = 0 ; v2 = u1
 m1 > m2 ⇒ v1 < u1 ; v2 > u1 [after collision , m1 will slow down]
 m1 < m2 ⇒ v1 < 0 ; v2 < u1 [after collision, m1 will recoil]
 m1 >> m2 ⇒ v1 ≈ u1 ; v2 ≈ u1
 m1 << m2 ⇒ v1≈ -u1 ; v2 ≈ 0

68
(ii) Elastic collision in two dimensions :
Consider a glancing collision between two spheres of mass m1 and m2 ;
v1y v1

v1x
u1 u2=0

Before collision v2x

v2
 m2 is initially at rest,
v2y

⇒ u2  0 After collision
 initial velocity is along x-axis ,
  The two spheres move off in
⇒ u1  u1x different directions
 initial momentum along y-axis is zero ,
  
⇒ piy  ( m1u1 y  m2u2 y )  0
69
 By conservation of momentum ;
 
pinitial  pfinal
   
m1u1  m2u2  m1v1  m2 v2
Σmomentum along x ;  
pix  pfx
   
m1u1x  m2u2x  m1v1x  m2 v2x
m1u1  m1v1 cos 1  m2 v2 cos  2 ; where u2= 0

Σmomentum along y ; p 
iy  pfy
   
m1u1y  m2u2y  m1v1y  m2 v2y

0  m1v1 sin 1  m2 v2 sin  2 ; where piy  0
By conservation of kinetic energy ;
K initial  K final
1
2 m1u12  12 m2u22  12 m1v12  12 m2 v22
1
2 m1u12  12 m1v12  12 m2 v22 ; where u2= 0
70
Example : Elastic collision in one dimension
A 3000-kg truck moving with a velocity of 10 m s-1 hits a 1000-kg parked car.
The impact causes the 1000-kg car to be set in motion at 15 m s-1. Assuming
that momentum is conserved during the collision, determine the velocity of
the truck after the collision.

Solution:

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

(3000)(10) + (1000)(0) = (3000)v1 + (1000)(15)
3000 - 15000 = 3000 v1
v1 = 5.0 m s-1
71
Example : Elastic collision in two dimensions
A 200 g tennis ball moving with a speed of 15 m s-1 collides with a stationary ball
of 800 g in an elastic collision. The tennis ball is scattered at an angle of 45o
from its original direction with the speed of 5 m s-1. Find the final velocity of
the struck ball.
Solution: v1y
v1= 5 m s-1
m1= 200 g = 0.2 kg
m2= 800 g = 0.8 kg
v1x

u1 = 15 m s-1 θ 1=45o
m1 θ 2= ?
m2
v2x
u2 = 0
v2y v2 = ?
Before collision
After collision
72
Σmomentum along x ;  
pix  pfx
m1u1  m1v1 cos 1  m2 v2 cos  2
(0.2)(15)  (0.2)(5cos 45o )  (0.8)(v2 cos  2 )
v2 cos  2  2.87 ..........(i)
Σmomentum along y ; p  
iy  pfy

0  m1v1 sin 1  m2 v2 sin  2


0  (0.2)(5sin 45 )  (0.8)(v2 sin  2 )
o

v2 sin  2  0.88 ..........(ii)

(ii) v2 sin  2 0.88
 
(i) v2 cos  2 2.87
tan  = 0.31   =17.01o

From (ii) ; v2 sin 17.01o = 0.88 ⇒ v2 = 3 m s-1 73

 Inelastic collision
 Inelastic collision ⇒ the total momentum of the system before and after collision
is conserved but the total kinetic energy is not conserved.
  
Conservation of momentum : m1u1  m2u2  (m1  m2 )v
2 1 2 1 2 1 2
2 m1u1  2 m2 u2  2 m1v1  2 m2 v2
Kinetic energy is not conserved: 1

(some of the kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy such as
heat or sound)
(i) Inelastic collision in one dimension :
For completely inelastic collision , objects stuck together after collision.
 
 m1u1  m2u2
By conservation of momentum :  v 
m1  m2
If m2 is at rest, u2 = 0 ;
before collision: (Kinetic energy)initial =K i  12 m1u12 2
 m1u1 
after collision: (Kinetic energy)final =K f  1 (m1  m2 )v 2  1 (m1  m2 )  
2 2
m
 1  m2 
Hence, Kf m1
 1
Ki m1  m2 74
 (ii) Ballistic pendulum : a device to measure the speed of a bullet.
Let ;
M = mass of the block
m = mass of the bullet
vi = velocity of the bullet (before collision)
vf = velocity of both block and the bullet
(after collision)
h = maximum height of the block containing the
bullet after collision

The block is at rest , so its velocity is

zero. Substitute (ii) into (i) ;
By conservation of linear momentum;
mvi  ( M  m)v f ...... (i) m+ M
vi = 2 gh
By conservation of energy (of the block and the bullet m
after collision) ;
⇒ velocity of the bullet
Kinetic energy = Potential energy before collision
1
2 ( M  m ) v f  ( M  m) gh
2

v f  2 gh .......(ii) 75
 (iii) Inelastic collision in two dimensions :
Consider a perfectly inelastic collision .
By conservation of linear momentum;
m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1+ m2) v
The x - component of the vector v ;
m1v1 = (m1+ m2) vx
m1v1
vx =
m1 + m2
The y - component of the vector v ;
m2v2 = (m1+ m2) vy
m2 v2
vy =
Let ; m1 + m2
v1 = velocity of m1 in the x direction
Magnitude , 2 2
v2 = velocity of m2 in the y direction v  vx  v y
v = final velocity  vy 
Direction ,   tan  
1

 vx 
76
Example : Inelastic collision in one dimension
Granny (m=80 kg) whizzes around the rink with a velocity of 6 m s-1. She suddenly
collides with Ahmad (m=40 kg) who is at rest directly in her path. Rather than
knock him over, she picks him up and continues in motion without "braking."
Determine the velocity of Granny and Ahmad. Assume that no external forces
act on the system so that it is an isolated system.
Solution:

m1 u 1 + m2 u 2 = (m1+ m2) v
(80)(6) + (40)(0) = (80 + 40) v
480 = 120 v 77
v = 4 m s-1
 Example : Inelastic collision in one dimension
An object P of mass 3 kg is moving with a velocity of 4 m s-1 and
collides head on with an object Q of mass 1kg moving in the opposite
direction with a velocity of 2 m s-1.After the collision both objects
moves with a common velocity v. Calculate v.
Solution:
uP= 4 m s-1
uQ= - 2 m s-1
P Q

By conservation of linear momentum ;

pi  pf
mP uP  mQuQ  (mP  mQ )v
(3)(4)  (1)(2)  (3  1)v
v  2.5 m s-1
( both objects move in the positive direction)
78
Example : Inelastic collision – ballistic pendulum
In a ballistic experiment, suppose that ; h = 5.00 cm, m = 5.00 g and M = 1.00 kg.
Find the (a) initial speed of the bullet, vi
(b) the loss in energy due to the collision
Solution:
m+ M
(a) The initial speed of the bullet, vi = 2 gh
m
(5  103 )  (1) 2
 3
2(9.81)(5  10 )
5  10
= 199 m s-1
(b) The loss in energy due to the collision, ∆K
K  K i  K f
 12 mvi2  12 (m  M )vf2
 12  mvi2  (m  M )(2 gh) 
 12  0.005(199) 2   0.005  1 (2  9.81 0.05) 
79
= 98.5 J
Example : Inelastic collision – ballistic pendulum
A bullet of mass 20 g moving horizontally at 100 m s-1, embeds itself
in a block of wood of mass l kg which is suspended by a string.
Calculate the maximum vertical height rises by the block and the
bullet.
Solution:
By conservation of momentum;
mu  ( M  m)v vf
(0.02 100)
v =1.96 m s-1 u
(1.00  0.02)
At maximum height, vf = 0 , a = -9.81 m s-1 ;
Using vf 2= vo2+2 as
0 = 1.962 +2(-9.81)h
h = 0.1958 m
= 19.58 cm. 80
 Example : Inelastic collision in two dimensions
Two cars approaching each other along streets that meet at a right angle collide at the
intersection. After the crash, they stick together. If one car has a mass of 1450 kg
and an initial speed of 11.5 m s-1 and the other has a mass of 1750 kg and an initial
speed of 15.5 m s-1, what will be their speed and direction immediately after impact ?
Solution:
v1 = 11.5 m s-1 ; v2 = 15.5 m s-1 ; m1 = 1450 kg ; m2 = 1750 kg ; v = final velocity
The x - component of vector v ;
m1v1 (1450)(11.5)
vx    5.2 m s -1
m1  m2 1450  1750
The y - component of vector v ;
m2 v2 (1750)(15.5)
vy    8.5 m s-1
m1  m2 1450  1750
2 2
Speed , v  vx  v y  (5.2)  (8.5)  10 m s
2 2 -1

 vy  1  8.5 
Direction ,   tan 1    tan    58.5o
81
 vx   5.2 
 Coefficient of restitution , ek
 Coefficient of restitution is the ratio of the differences in velocities
before and after the collision
 v2  v1  where ek = coefficient of restitution
ek     u = velocity before collision
 u2  u1  v = velocity after collision

 ek measures the ability of an object to retain its shape after

collision
 0 ≤ ek ≤ 1 )
 perfectly elastic collision : ek = 1
 perfectly inelastic collision : ek = 0

82
 Comparison between elastic and inelastic collisions :

Collision
Elastic Inelastic
Total of linear momentum Conserved Conserved
Total of kinetic energy Conserved Not conserved
Coefficient of restitution ek = 1 0 <ek <1
(perfectly elastic) ek = 0
(perfectly inelastic)

83
 
3.5 Impulse , J
 the change in momentum ,
     
J  p  m(v  u ) or J  Ft
 a vector quantity.
⇒ direction : same as direction of velocity in linear motion.
 SI unit : kg m s-1 or N s
 The force that produces impulse is impulsive force.
 The impulsive force, F is executed in a very short interval of time
e. g : the force to hit a baseball or the force to smash a
badminton shuttle
 Ft = impulse ⇒ constant. ∴ F ∝ 1
t
(The impulsive force, F increases as the contact time, t decreases)
84
  From the Newton’s second law ;

dp 
F
dt 


dp  Fdt
p t
f
 f

 dp   Fdt

pi ti
t
  f 
pf  pi   Fdt
ti ti tf ti tf
t
 f  F
p   Fdt
t
tfi
  
Impulse, J   Fdt  area under graph F  t
ti t
ti tf 85
 Example : Impulse

The force acting on an object is shown below. Find the

impulse at, (a) t = 6 s and (b) t = 8 s.
F(N)

Solution: 20

(b)Impulse
= Area under the graph 0 4 6 8 t(s)

= ½(4+6)(20)
=100 N s.
(b) Impulse =Area of trapezium (0 to 6s)+ Area under line( 6 to 8s)
= 100 + 0 =100 N s.
86