Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Linear momentum and its conservation

Linear momentum and its conservation — practice question

(a)[2]

State the conservation of momentum principle.

(b)

Ball X has a mass of $240\,\text{g}$ and travels in a straight line over a horizontal frictionless surface with an initial speed of $16\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. It then collides with a stationary ball Y of mass $480\,\text{g}$. After the collision, ball X is stationary, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

(b(i))[1]

Show that the speed $v$ of ball Y after the collision is $8.0\,\text{m s}^{-1}$.

(b(ii))[3]

Calculate the change in the total kinetic energy $\Delta E_{K}$ of the balls caused by the collision.

(c)

In (b), the collision lasts for $2.0\,\text{ms}$. Assume that the contact force between the balls remains constant throughout this interval.

(c(i))[3]

Determine both the magnitude and the direction of the force exerted on ball X by ball Y during the collision.

(c(ii))[2]

Compare the magnitude and direction of the force exerted on ball Y by ball X during the collision with the answers in (c)(i). No extra calculations are needed.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: the total momentum of a system remains unchanged

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