Conservation of Momentum (T)

• What is the formula for calculating momentum?

  Momentum equals mass multiplied by velocity.
• What does it mean for momentum to be conserved in a closed system?

  • Total momentum before an event equals total momentum after the event
  • Momentum remains constant in a closed system
• How would you calculate the total momentum before a collision?

  By calculating the momentum of each object and summing them.
• How does the mass and velocity of an object affect its momentum?

  Momentum increases with greater mass or velocity.
• What is the total momentum of a stationary object?

  Zero.
• How do you calculate the velocity of two objects moving together after a collision?

  1. Calculate total momentum before the collision
  2. Use the formula: velocity = momentum / total mass
• Why is it important to consider both mass and velocity when calculating momentum?

  Because both factors determine the momentum and its effects during collisions.
• What is the total mass of a van and a car if the van has a mass of 2,000 kg and the car has a mass of 800 kg?

  2,800 kg.
• If a van with a mass of 1,400 kg is traveling at 20 m/s, what is its momentum?

  28,000 kg·m/s.
• What happens to the total momentum after a collision?

  It remains constant; total momentum before equals total momentum after.
• What are the steps to calculate the velocity of two objects after a collision?

  1. Calculate total momentum before the collision
  2. Determine total mass after the collision
  3. Use the formula: velocity = total momentum / total mass
• What is the velocity of the van and car combined after a collision if their total momentum is 60,000 kg·m/s and their total mass is 2,800 kg?


  21.4 m/s.
• How do you find the momentum of a stationary car?

  By calculating mass × 0, which equals zero.