Conservation of Momentum

• What is the equation to calculate momentum?

  Momentum equals mass multiplied by velocity
• What happens to momentum in a closed system during an event?

  Total momentum before equals total momentum after
• How do you calculate the total momentum before a collision?

  • Calculate momentum of each object
  • Sum the individual momenta
• What is the mass of the van in the sample question?

  2,000 kilograms
• What is the velocity of the van in the sample question?

  30 meters per second
• What is the mass of the stationary car in the sample question?

  800 kilograms
• What is the total momentum of the van and car before the collision?

  60,000 kilograms meter per second
• What does it mean that momentum is conserved?

  Total momentum remains constant before and after
• How do you calculate the velocity of the van and car together after the collision?

  Velocity equals momentum divided by mass
• What is the total mass of the van and car after the collision?

  2,800 kilograms
• What is the calculated velocity of the van and car combined after the collision?

  21.4 meters per second
• What resources are available for practicing momentum calculations?

  • Revision workbook
  • Additional practice questions