Forces & Momentum

When a force acts on an object that is moving, or able to move, the object will accelerate (or decelerate)
- This causes a change in momentum

Rate of change in momentum

The resultant force acting on an object is defined by the equation:

$F = m a$

Momentum is calculated using the equation:

$p = m v$

Change in momentum is given as:

$∆ p = m v - m u$

Combining these equations gives:

$force = \frac{change in momentum}{time}$

$F = \frac{(m v - m u)}{t}$

Where:
- F = resultant force, measured in newtons (N)
- a = acceleration, measured in metres per second squared (m/s²)
- m = mass, measured in kilograms (kg)
- ∆p = change in momentum, measured in kilogram metres per second (kg m/s)
- v = final velocity, measured in metres per second (m/s)
- u = initial velocity, measured in metres per second (m/s)
- t = time, measured in seconds (s)

Remember to consider the direction of object's motion
- If you take the initial direction as positive then the reverse direction is negative
Force can also be described as the rate of change of momentum on a body
- The rate of change describes how a variable changes with respect to time
The shorter the time over which momentum changes, the bigger the force
So, force and time are inversely proportional to each other

Exam Tip

When two quantities are inversely proportional, it means that as one increases, the other decreases by a proportional amount

If one is doubled, the other is halved
If one is decreased by a factor of 4, the other is increased by a factor of 4

Worked example

A tennis ball hits a racket twice, with a change in momentum of 0.5 kg m/s both times.

During the first hit, the contact time is 2 s and during the second hit, the contact time is 0.1 s

Determine which tennis racket experiences the greatest force from the tennis ball.

2-4-we-different-contact-times

Answer:

Step 1: Calculate the force during the first hit

$F = \frac{∆ p}{t}$

$F = \frac{0.5}{2}$

$F = 0.25 N$

Step 2: Calculate the force during the second hit

$F = \frac{∆ p}{t}$

$F = \frac{0.5}{0.1}$

$F = 5.0 N$

Step 3: State your answer

The tennis racket experiences the greatest force from the ball during the second hit

Worked example

A car of mass 1500 kg hits a wall at an initial velocity of 15 m/s and rebounds with a velocity of 5 m/s. The car is in contact with the wall for 3 seconds.

Calculate the average force experienced by the car and state the direction of the force.

Answer:

Step 1: List the known quantities and assign direction

Mass of car, m = 1500 kg
Velocity before collision, u = 15 m/s
Velocity after collision, v = −5 m/s
Time of impact, t = 3 s

Step 2: Draw a diagram of the collision

The diagram should include:
- The velocity before and after the collision
- The direction of motion before and after the collision

2-4-we-solution-diagram

Step 3: Write out the force and momentum equation

$F = \frac{(m v - m u)}{t}$ p = mv

Step 4: Substitute in the known values to calculate

$F = \frac{(1500 \times - 5) - (1500 \times 15)}{3}$

$F = \frac{- 7500 - 22 500}{3}$

$F = \frac{- 30 000}{3}$

$F = - 10 000 N$

The minus sign means the direction of the force is to the left or in the opposite direction to the car's initial motion

Forces & Momentum (Edexcel IGCSE Physics)

Revision Note

Forces & momentum

Rate of change in momentum

Exam Tip

Worked example

Worked example

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Author: Katie M