Ivan ker B.

saligumba BSIT-2A physics 101

Linear Momentum
Linear momentum of an object is defined as the product of the object’s mass and its velocity.
Momentum is generally represented by the letter "p." Since velocity is a vector quantity,
momentum is also a vector, and has the same direction as velocity. The SI unit for momentum is
kilograms times meters per second, or k⋅ m/s.
The concept of momentum lets us generalize Newton’s second law of motion. Recall Newton’s
second law: an object’s change of motion is proportional to both the magnitude of the applied
force and the object’s mass. Equation 2.1, F = ma, was a translation of this law that was only
valid for special cases: those in which the object’s mass was constant. However, utilizing the

definition of momentum, the general equation is below:

For a constant mass, D p = mD v. Thus,

, mv + mv = (m+m)v
The linear momentum p of an object with mass m and velocity v is defined as

From this definition it is clear that the unit of momentum is (kg m/s) or (N s). Since this
momentum is related to the linear motion of the object, it is called linear momentum. In Chapter
11 we will be discussing angular momentum which is the momentum related to the angular
motion of the object.
Under certain circumstances the linear momentum of a system is conserved. The linear
momentum of a particle is related to the net force acting on that object:

The rate of change of linear momentum of a particle is equal to the net force acting on the object,
and is pointed in the direction of the force. If the net force acting on an object is zero, its linear
momentum is constant (conservation of linear momentum).
The total linear momentum p of a system of particles is defined as the vector sum of the
individual linear momenta

This expression can be rewritten as

where M is the total mass of the system. We conclude that

" The linear momentum of a system of particles is equal to the product of the total mass M of the
system and the velocity of the center of mass. "
If we differentiate linear momentum of the center-of-mass with respect to time we obtain

This expression shows that if the net external force acting on a system of particles is zero (Fext =
0 N), the linear momentum of the system is conserved.

Problem:
1) An atomic nucleus intially moving @ 420 m/s emits an alpha particle in the direction
of it's velocity, and the remaining nucleus slows to 350 m/s. If the alpha particle has
a mass of 4.0 u and the original nucleus has a mass of 222 u what speed does the
alpha particle have when it is emitted.
mv + mv = (m+m)v
(222 u)(420 m/s) = (218 u)(350 m/s) + (4.0 u)(v)
v = 4.2 x 10^3 m/s

Answer: 4.2 x 10^3 m/s

2.) A 12,600 kg railroad car travels alone on a level frictionless track with a constant
speed of 18 m/s. A 5350 kg load, initially at rest, is dropped on to the car. What will be
the car's new speed?
mv + mv = (m+m)v
(12600 kg)(18m/s) + (5350 kg)(0 m/s) = (17950 kg)(v)
v= 12.6m/s
Answer: 12.6 m/s
Elastic Collision
elastic collision is a collision in which the total kinetic energy of the colliding bodies after
collision is equal to their total kinetic energy before collision. Elastic collisions occur only if
there is no net conversion of kinetic energy into other forms. During the collision kinetic energy
is first converted to potential energy associated with a repulsive force between the particles
(when the particles move against this force, i.e. the angle between the force and the relative
velocity is obtuse), then this potential energy is converted back to kinetic energy (when the
particles move with this force, i.e. the angle between the force and the relative velocity is
acute).The collisions of atoms are elastic collisions (Rutherford backscattering is one example).

Inelastic Collision
An inelastic collision is a collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved (see elastic
collision).
In collisions of macroscopic bodies, some kinetic energy is turned into vibrational energy of the
atoms, causing a heating effect, and the bodies are deformed.
The formulas for the velocities after a one-dimensional collision are:

where
V1f is the final velocity of the first object after impact
V2f is the final velocity of the second object after impact
V1 is the initial velocity of the first object before impact
V2 is the initial velocity of the second object before impact
M1 is the mass of the first object
M2 is the mass of the second object
CR is the coefficient of restitution; if it is 1 we have an elastic collision; if it is 0 we have
a perfectly inelastic collision, see below.
In a center of momentum frame the formulas reduce to:
V1f = − CRV1
V2f = − CRV2
For two- and three-dimensional collisions the velocities in these formulas are the components
perpendicular to the tangent line/plane at the point of contact.
Problems:
1) Two blocks are travelling toward each other. The first has a speed of 10 cm/sec and the
second a speed of 60 cm/sec. After the collision the second is observed to be travelling with a
speed of 20 cm/sec in a direction opposite to its initial velocity. If the weight of the first block is
twice that of the second, determine: (a) the velocity of the first block after collision; (b) whether
the collision was elastic or inelastic.

Solution: We have a collision problem in 1–dimension. We draw both 'before' and 'after' pictures
and select a coordinate system as shown.

B e fo r e A fte r
vA vA vB
i vB i
f f
A B A B
x x

Since the surface is frictionless, and since no work is performed by either mg or the normal, then
the net force acting on the system is 0, and we have conservation of linear momentum:

p1i ⊕ p2i = p1i ⊕ p1f

Thus adding the x–components we have: m1v1i – m2v2i = m1 v1f + m2 v2f

Since m1 = 2 m2 we find: 2 v1i – v2i = 2 v1f + v2f  (2)(10) – (60) = 2 v1f + 20

Thus 2 v1f = – 60 and v1f = – 30 cm/sec ('–' means to left).

08-2

The initial KE is given by: KEI = (1/2) m1 (v1I)2 + (1/2) m2 (v2I)2 . This gives:

= (1/2)(2 m2)(10)2 + (1/2) m2 (60)2 = (1/2)(200 + 3600) m2 = 1900 m2

The final KE is: KEf = (1/2) m1 (v1f)2 + (1/2) m2 (v2f)2 . This gives:

= (1/2)(2 m2)(30)2 + (1/2) m2 (20)2 = (1/2)(1800 + 400) m2 = 1100 m2

Since KEf is not equal to KEI, the collision is inelastic.

2) A block of mass 200 g, sliding with a speed of 12 cm/sec on a smooth level surface, makes a
head–on, elastic collision with a block of unknown mass, initially at rest. After the collision the
velocity of the 200 g block is 4 cm/sec in the same direction as its initial velocity. Determine the
mass of the 2nd block and its speed after the collision.

Solution: We have a collision problem in 1–dimension. We draw both 'before' and 'after' pictures
and select a coordinate system as shown.

B e fo r e A fte r
vA i vA vB
f f
A B A B
x x

Since the surface is frictionless, and since no work is performed by either mg or the normal, then
the net force acting on the system is 0, and we have conservation of linear momentum:

p1I ⊕ p2I = p1I ⊕ p1f

Thus adding the x–components we have: m1v1I + 0 = m1 v1f + m2 v2f .

This gives: (200)(12) = (200)(4) + m2 v2f .

Since we have 2 unknowns we look for an 'energy condition'. We are told that the collision is
elastic. Hence, we also have conservation of KE and write:

(1/2)m1(v1I)2 + (1/2)m2(v2I)2 = (1/2)m1(v1f)2 + (1/2)m2(v2f)2

We may cancel the (1/2) factors, and we obtain: (200)(12)2 + 0 = (200)(4)2 + m2(v2f)2 .

Thus (m2 v2f) v2f = (200)(8) v2f = (200)(144) – (200)(16) or 8 v2f = 128.

Hence: v2f = 16 cm/sec, and m2 = (200)(8)/(16) = 100 gm .

3) A 2000 kg automobile going east on Chestnut Street at 60 mi/hr collides with a 4000 kg truck
which is going south across Chestnut Street at 20 mi/hr. If they become coupled on collision,
what is the magnitude and direction of their velocity immediately after colliding?

Solution: We have a collision problem in 2–dimension. We draw both 'before' and 'after' pictures
and select a coordinate system as shown. We have conservation of linear momentum: pAi ⊕ pB i
= pA f ⊕ pB f .

N
vA i
E
N
a fte r v f
vB i
E
b e fo r e
θ

We have a completely inelastic collision problem. Applying Conservation of Linear Momentum

we have:

m1 v1i ⊕ m2 v2i = m1 v1f ⊕ m2 v2f

We now rewrite this vector equation in terms of components (East & South).

E comp: m1 v1i + 0 = (m1 + m2) vf cos θ

S comp: 0 + m2 v2i = (m1 + m2) vf sin θ

Thus we have 2 equations in 2 unknowns. (Note that since cons. of linear momentum is an equi–
dimensional equation, we do not need to convert units).

E comp: (2000)(60) = (6000) vf cos θ S comp: (4000)(20) = (6000) vf sin θ

Dividing the 'S' equation by the 'E' equation eliminates vf and yields:

tan = (sin θ )/(cos θ ) = (4000)(20)/(2000)(60) = 2/3  θ = 33.7o .

Then from the 'E' equation: vf = (2000)(60)/(6000) cos 33.7 = 24.04 mi/hr .

37
4) Object A traveling with a speed of 25 m/sec collides with an A vA f
identical object B which was initially at rest. After the collision,
the two objects are moving as shown. A) Determine the speeds of 53 A fte r
the two objects after collision. b) Was the collision elastic or
inelastic? (show work). B vB f

Solution: We have a collision problem in 2–dimensions. We draw both 'before' and 'after'
pictures and select a coordinate system as shown. We have conservation of linear momentum: pAi
⊕ pB I = pA f ⊕ pB f .

y 37
A vA f
vA i
B e fo r e x
A 53 A fte r
B
x B vB f

For the y–components we have: 0 = mA vAf sin 37 - mB vB f sin 53  m vA f (3/5) = m vB f

(4/5)

Hence vB f = (.6/.8) vA f = (3/4) vA f .

08-7
For the x–components we have:

mA vo = mA vA f cos 37 + mB vB f cos 53  m vo = m vA f (4/5) + m vB f (3/5)

Canceling the 'm' in each term and using vo = 25 m/sec.

25 = vA f (4/5) + (3/4) vA f (3/5) or 25 = vA f{(4/5) + (9/20)} = (25/20) v1f . Thus

vA f = 20 m/sec and vB f = 15 m/sec.

Note that the problem did not say whether the collision was elastic or inelastic. Since we have
both final velocities then we can directly answer whether or not the collision was elastic. The
initial KE is simply

KEi = (1/2)m vo2 = (1/2) m (25)2 = (1/2)(625) m

The final KE would be:

KEf = (1/2) mA (vA f)2 + (1/2) mB (vB f)2 . This gives:

= (1/2) m (20)2 + (1/2) m (15)2 = (1/2) m { 400 + 225} = (1/2) m (625) .

The collision is elastic.

TORQUE
Torque is a measure of how much a force acting on an Figure 1 Definitions
object causes that object to rotate. The object rotates
about an axis, which we will call the pivot point, and will
label 'O'. We will call the force 'F'. The distance from the
pivot point to the point where the force acts is called the
moment arm, and is denoted by 'r'. Note that this distance,
'r', is also a vector, and points from the axis of rotation to
the point where the force acts. (Refer to Figure 1 for a
pictoral representation of these definitions.)

Torque is defined as

= r x F = r F sin( ).

In other words, torque is the cross product between the distance vector (the distance from the
pivot point to the point where force is applied) and the force vector, 'a' being the angle between r
and F.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM ON TORQUE
Problem 1

In a hurry to catch a cab, you rush through a frictionless swinging door and onto the sidewalk.
The force you extered on the door was 50N, applied perpendicular to the plane of the door. The
door is 1.0m wide. Assuming that you pushed the door at its edge, what was the torque on the
swinging door (taking the hinge as the pivot point)?
Solution
The pivot point is at the hinges of the door,
opposite to where you were pushing the door.
The force you used was 50N, at a distance 1.0m
from the pivot point. You hit the door
perpendicular to its plane, so the angle between
the door and the direction of force was 90
degrees. Since
Figure 1 Diagram of Example Problem 1
= r x F = r F sin( )
then the torque on the door was:
= (1.0m) (50N) sin(90)

= 50 N m

Problem 2

A 3.0kg mass is place 2.00m to the right of the pivot point of a see-saw. What is the the
magnitude and the sign of the torque applied?

This problem looks like the figure

The force exerted by the mass is due to gravity and is found from F=mg. The distance between
the force and the pivot point is r=2.00m. We can find the magnitude of the torque by

If the mass is to the right of the pivot point, the rotation will be in a clockwise direction, so the

torque is negative: . As always, note the use of significant figures. The distance
r was given to three significant figures, but the mass (and therefore the force) is only known to
two significant figures. Thus the torque must have only two significant figures.
 Second Condition of Equilibrium
An object in equilibrium does not move along a straight line -- it does not translate -- that means
the sum of all the forces on it is zero. That was the first condition of equilibrium.
But an object in equilibrium also does not rotate. That means the sum of all the rotational
forces on it is also zero. The sum of all the torques on an object is equilibrium is zero. This is
the Second Condition of Equilibrium.
Tor ques that would rotate an object counter clockwise may be taken as positive and torques that
would rotate an objectclockwise may be taken as negative. Then we can write this Second
Condition of Equilibrium as

or we can calculate the sum of the clockwise torques and set them equal to the sum of the
counterclockwise torques. Then we can write this Second Condition of Equilibrium as

Problem :

1) When only the front wheels of an automobile are run onto a platform scale the scale balances
at 8 kN; when only the rea wheels are run onto the scale, it balances at 6 kN. What is the weight
of the automobile and how far is its center of gravity behind the front axle? The distance between
the axles is 2.8 m.

Solution: We have a 'general' equilibrium problem since

all forces in the problem do not act through a single 2 .8 m
point. This means that the problem cannot be solved N r
N f
using only the 1st condition of equilibrium (Fnet = 0). We
must also employ the 2nd condition: ( Γ net = 0).

In the 1st figure we draw the car with its front wheel on
the balance. The balance reads 'Fcar on balance' = 8 kN. Hence, S c a le
the force exerted on the car (N f) is also 8 kN. x W
In the 2nd figure, with the rear wheels on the balance, we
find that F2 = 6kN. Hence, the 1st condition of 2 .8 m
equilibrium gives us: N r
N f
Σ F hor: 0 = 0 ; Σ Fver: N f + N r – W = 0

Thus the weight of the car is W = 14 kN.

S c a le
x W

The determination of the location of the center of gravity (point where W acts) involves
distances & hence torques. We have indicated W acting at the CM (distance 'x' from rear axle).
The 2nd condition of equilibrium can be applied about any point. We select point 'A' as the rear
axle:

Σ Γ A = Σ Γ ckw - Σ Γ cckw = W (x) - N f (2.8) = 0

Inserting the know values for W & F2, we have:

(8 kN)(2.8 m) = (14 kN) x  x = 1.6 m

2) A 600 N bricklayer is 1.5 m from one end of a uniform scaffold 7 m long, weighing 800 N. A
pile of bricks weighing 500 N is 3 m from the same end. If the scaffold is supported at the two
ends, calculate the force on each end.

Solution: We have a general equilibrium

problem since all forces do not act through a
common point. Since we must use the 2nd
condition of equilibrium to solve this T 1
problem, We jump right in and calculate T 2
torques.

Now there are 2 'unknown forces' T1 and T2 .

Application of the torque condition about any
point gives us a single scalar equation. Thus W s
W b
W m
3 .5 m
we need to choose points so that one of the
1 .5 m 1 .5 m
unknown forces will be eliminated. If we 7 m
choose point 'A' as the left end we will
eliminate T2. Thus:

Σ Γ A = Σ Γ ckw - Σ Γ cckw = W s (3.5) + Wb (4) + Wm (5.5) - T1 (7)

= (800)(3.5) + (500)(4) + (600)(5.5) – T1(7) = 0. This gives: T1 = (8100)/7 = 1157

N.

We now choose to apply the 2nd condition about the right end:
 Σ Γ B = Σ Γ ckw -Σ Γ cckw = T 2 (7) - W m (1.5) - W b (3) - W s (3.5)

= 7 T2 – (800)(3.5) – (500)(3) – (600)(1.5) = 0 . Thus: T2 = (5200)/7 = 743 N.

Now as a check in the problem we use the 1st condition of equilibrium.

Σ Fup = T1 + T2 = 1157 + 743 = 1900 N.

Σ Fdown = Wplank + Wman + Wbricks = 800 + 600 + 500 = 1900 N. Hence our answers check!