zuai-logo
zuai-logo
  1. AP Physics C Mechanics
FlashcardFlashcard
Study GuideStudy GuideQuestion BankQuestion BankGlossaryGlossary

What is the effect of an external force on a system's momentum?

An external force causes a change in the system's total momentum (impulse).

Flip to see [answer/question]
Flip to see [answer/question]
Revise later
SpaceTo flip
If confident

All Flashcards

What is the effect of an external force on a system's momentum?

An external force causes a change in the system's total momentum (impulse).

What happens when two objects collide in a perfectly inelastic collision?

The objects stick together and move with a common final velocity, with a loss of kinetic energy.

What is the effect of Newton's Third Law on momentum conservation?

Internal forces within a system act in equal and opposite pairs, resulting in no net change in the system's total momentum.

Steps to solve a conservation of momentum problem?

  1. Identify the system. 2. Check for external forces. 3. Apply: ∑p⃗initial=∑p⃗final\sum \vec{p}_{initial} = \sum \vec{p}_{final}∑p​initial​=∑p​final​. 4. Solve for unknowns.

How to determine if a collision is elastic?

  1. Calculate the total kinetic energy before the collision. 2. Calculate the total kinetic energy after the collision. 3. If kinetic energy is conserved (KEinitial = KEfinal), the collision is elastic.

Steps to calculate impulse?

  1. Determine the change in momentum (Δp⃗\Delta\vec{p}Δp​). 2. Alternatively, find the force applied (F⃗\vec{F}F) and the time interval (Δt\Delta tΔt). 3. Calculate: J⃗=Δp⃗=F⃗Δt\vec{J} = \Delta\vec{p} = \vec{F}\Delta tJ=Δp​=FΔt.

What is momentum (vecpvec{p}vecp)?

A measure of an object's motion; a vector quantity equal to mass times velocity: p⃗=mv⃗\vec{p} = m\vec{v}p​=mv

What is Impulse (vecJvec{J}vecJ)?

The change in momentum of an object, equal to the force applied times the time interval: J⃗=Δp⃗=F⃗Δt\vec{J} = \Delta\vec{p} = \vec{F}\Delta tJ=Δp​=FΔt

What is a closed system (in the context of momentum)?

A system where no external forces act upon it, meaning the total momentum remains constant.

Define elastic collision.

A collision where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

Define inelastic collision.

A collision where momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not. Some kinetic energy is converted to other forms of energy.

What is a perfectly inelastic collision?

A collision where objects stick together after impact, resulting in the maximum loss of kinetic energy.