AP Physics 1 : Linear Motion and Momentum
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Example Questions
Example Question #46 : Impulse And Momentum
Ty throws a 
Use the conservation of momentum for inelastic collisions (objects that stick together).
Plug in and solve for the final velocity.
The final velocity of the combined snowballs is 
Example Question #47 : Impulse And Momentum
On a toy car set, two children apply a piece of double sided tape to the front of two toy cars so that when they collide they will stick together causing a perfectly inelastic collision. The two identical cars have a combined mass of 
Use the conservation of momentum, perfectly inelastic collision.
Plug in and solve for the speed of car B.
The velocity of car B right before the collision was 
Example Question #48 : Impulse And Momentum
A spaceship is stationary deep in space with it’s rocket broken. The crew decides to propel it to earth by throwing tennis balls out the back window. If they throw one tennis ball every second at 
None of these
The net momentum of the system needs to stay constant, that is, any momentum given to the tennis balls, the space ship must gain in the opposite direction.
Where
Solving for
Since the velocities are given as magnitudes, the negative sign can be ignored
Plugging in values
Example Question #231 : Linear Motion And Momentum
A bullet with mass 
The expression for impulse is the following:
We are given mass and initial kinetic energy, so we can also calculate the velocity of the bullet. Therefore, we will go with the second for of the expression:
Finding an expression for velocity, we get:
Rearranging for velocity, we get:
Plugging this in, we get:
Plugging in our values, we get:
Example Question #50 : Impulse And Momentum
A bullet of mass 
When the bullet is at its maximum height, it has no vertical velocity component. Also, since we are neglecting air resistance, the horizontal velocity remains constant. Therefore, the velocity of the bullet at its maximum height is simply the initial horizontal velocity:
Plugging in values, we get:
Then using the expression for momentum:
Example Question #51 : Impulse And Momentum
An arrow of mass 
Since the arrow is shot directly upward, we can easily calculate the velocity of the arrow after 8 seconds:
Plugging in our values, we get:
Which is also:
Then using the expression for momentum, we get:
Example Question #52 : Impulse And Momentum
Deep in space Object 
How should the final momentum relate to the initial momentum?
They will be the same
The final momentum will be less because the objects stuck together
The final momentum will be greater because the objects stuck together
There is not enough information to determine the final momentum
They will be the same
Momentum is always conserved in a closed system. Thus, since this system has no external forces acting on it (such as gravity, friction, electromagnetism, etc.) then momentum will be the same at the end as in the beginning.
Example Question #53 : Impulse And Momentum
Deep in space, mass 
All three of the masses are identical.
None of these
The initial collision in completely elastic, all of the momentum and energy is transferred to the second mass.
The second collision is completely inelastic, all of the momentum is retained by the two objects that stick together.
Since all three of the masses are identical:
Combining equations
Example Question #54 : Impulse And Momentum
A spaceship of mass 
Determine the velocity of the ship after
Plugging in values
Using
Example Question #51 : Impulse And Momentum
Two football players are pushing on each other during a play. The offensive player is pushing the defensive player backwards. What can be said about the forces in this situation?
The players are exerting unequal forces on each other because the offensive player is exerting more force on the ground that the defensive player.
The players are exerting unequal forces on each other, the offensive player is exerting more force on the defensive player.
The players are exerting equal forces on each other, however, the offensive player is exerting more force on the ground that the defensive player.
None of these
It is impossible to determine anything without knowing the mass of each player.
The players are exerting equal forces on each other, however, the offensive player is exerting more force on the ground that the defensive player.
Based on Newtons laws, the players are exerting equal forces on each other. The reason the offensive player is "winning" is that he is able to push harder against the ground than the defensive player.
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