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Class 9 · English Medium · Pearson Edexcel · Physics

Measurement, motion and forces

Combine impulse, momentum and the forces on an interacting pair.

Original Kidemy further-topic investigation. This optional lesson is shared by related upper pathways; select suitable depth with a teacher. It does not certify complete grade or board coverage.

Learn the idea

Impulse equals change in momentum. Equal-and-opposite interaction forces act on different bodies, so they do not cancel on one body’s force diagram. System momentum is conserved only when external impulse is negligible.

Worked example

A 0.2 kg ball changes velocity from+10 to −5 m/s. Momentum changes from+2 to −1 kg·m/s, so impulse on the ball is −3 N·s. The negative sign refers to the chosen positive direction.

  1. Choose system and positive direction.
  2. Calculate before and after momentum.
  3. Check external impulse and units.

Your written practice

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8

2×(7−3)=8 N·s.

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40

F=impulse/time.

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-2

p=mv.

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Different masses give different accelerations under the same force magnitude.

Use F=ma and different bodies.

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The momentum change is toward the selected negative direction, not a negative amount of mass.

Connect sign to direction.

Apply the idea

Draw separate force diagrams and a system momentum account for a fictional collision.

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