Question

part 1: momentum & collisions

1. define momentum. give two examples (high vs low momentum).

1. what happens to momentum if:

• velocity doubles?
• mass doubles?
• both double?

1. define impulse and explain why extending collision time (e.g., airbags, crumple zones) reduces force.

Explanation:

Define momentum and provide examples

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Analyze proportional changes in momentum

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Define impulse and analyze impact force reduction

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Answer:

Question 1

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, represented by the formula \(p = mv\).

• High momentum example: A heavy freight train moving at high speed.
• Low momentum example: A slow-rolling tennis ball.

Question 2

• Velocity doubles: Momentum doubles (\(2p\)).
• Mass doubles: Momentum doubles (\(2p\)).
• Both double: Momentum quadruples (\(4p\)).

Question 3

Impulse is the product of the average force applied to an object and the time interval over which it acts, equal to the change in momentum (\(J = F\Delta t = \Delta p\)). Extending the collision time (\(\Delta t\)) reduces the impact force (\(F\)) because the required change in momentum (\(\Delta p\)) is spread over a longer duration, as shown by \(F = \frac{\Delta p}{\Delta t}\).