Conservation of Momentum (Oxford AQA IGCSE Physics)
Revision Note
Written by: Leander Oates
Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll
Conservation of Momentum
The principle of conservation of momentum states that:
In a closed system, the total momentum before an interaction is equal to the total momentum after an interaction
In this context, an interaction can be either:
A collision i.e. where two objects collide with each other
An explosion i.e. where a stationary object explodes into two (or more) parts
Collisions
For a collision between two objects:
The total momentum before a collision = the total momentum after a collision
Momentum before and after a collision
Before the collision:
In the example above, the total momentum is m × u
The direction to the right is taken as positive
Mass M is stationary, therefore it has no momentum, M × 0 = 0
After the collision:
In the example above, the total momentum is (M × V) + (m × -v)
Mass M also now has momentum
The velocity of m is now -v (since it is now travelling to the left) and the velocity of M is V
The total moment can written more simply as (M × V) – (m × v)
Explosions
Examples of explosions include:
A person jumping off a skateboard
A cannon or bullet being fired
A firework exploding
A person being thrown from a vehicle
The separation of space vehicles
As with collisions, the conservation of momentum equations can be applied:
The mass of the separate objects = the mass of the original object
The initial velocity (and therefore, momentum) of the stationary object is 0
Total momentum before explosion = total momentum after explosion
Remember that velocity is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction
Momentum of a dynamite explosion
In the example above, some scattered fragments will travel in a positive direction and others in a negative direction
When the velocities of all the scattered pieces are added together the resultant velocity = 0
Worked Example
A car and a van collide. The diagram shows the car and van, just before and just after the collision. Before the collision, the van was at rest.
The car initially moves at a speed of 10 m/s, but this reduces to 2 m/s after the collision.
The mass of the car is 990 kg and the mass of the van is 4200 kg.
Calculate the velocity of the van when it is pushed forward by the collision.
Answer:
Step 1: State the principle of the conservation of momentum
Total momentum before a collision = total momentum after a collision
Step 2: Calculate the total momentum of the car and van before the collision
Recall the equation for momentum:
Initial momentum of the car:
Initial momentum of the van:
The van is at rest so v = 0 m/s
Total momentum before collision:
Step 3: Calculate the total momentum of the car and van after the collision
Final momentum of the car:
Final momentum of the van:
Total momentum after collision:
Step 4: Rearrange the conservation of momentum equation for the velocity of the van
Worked Example
A gun of mass 3 kg fires a bullet of 30 g at a speed of 175 m/s.
As the bullet is fired, the gun moves back with a recoil velocity v.
Calculate the recoil velocity of the gun v.
Answer:
Step 1: List the known quantities:
Velocity of gun-bullet system before firing = 0 m/s
Mass of gun, mgun = 3 kg
Mass of bullet, mbullet = 30 g = 0.03 kg
Velocity of bullet after firing , vbullet = 175 m/s
Velocity of gun after firing = v
Step 2: State the conservation of momentum equation
momentum before firing = momentum after firing
Step 3: Substitute the known quantities into the equation
Step 4: Rearrange the equation to find the recoil velocity of the gun
Examiner Tips and Tricks
If it is not given in the question already, drawing a diagram of before and after helps keep track of all the masses and velocities (and directions) in the conservation of momentum questions.
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