Physics: Collisions and Momentum Analysis

The momentum of a particle at the start of an interval, calculated as mass times initial velocity. Often zero for a particle initially at rest.

The kinetic energy a particle has at the start of an interval; the amount of energy due to its motion. Often zero for a particle initially at rest.

Change of momentum of an object; calculated by multiplying the force acting on an object and the time the force lasts.

The momentum of a particle at a specific moment; the momentum after a force has been applied for a period of time.

The total work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy; a way to find the energy gained by the motion.

Energy of motion, calculated by ½mv²; the energy a moving object has.

A quantity of motion; calculated by multiplying an object's mass and its velocity. It's the product of mass and velocity.

An example relating momentum and kinetic energy. A heavier ball traveling slower is easier to catch than a lighter ball moving faster.

Change in momentum of a ball due to a force applied over a period of time.

The average force acting on a ball during a collision.

Duration of a collision between an object (e.g., a ball) and a surface like a wall.

A large, short-duration force experienced during a collision with a rigid object.

A smaller, longer-duration force experienced during a collision with a flexible object.

The change in momentum of an object equals the impulse applied to it.

The x and y components of the total momentum of an object.

Velocity of an object before any impact/kick in the x-direction.

In a closed system, the total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after the collision. The total amount of momentum always remains constant.

It's the product of the glider's mass and its horizontal velocity. It describes how much motion the glider has in the horizontal direction.

An external force acting on an object. The momentum changes proportionally to the force applied and the time it acts.

The total sum of all forces acting from outside the system being considered. If all external forces cancel out, the net external force is zero.

All the objects participating in the collision. It can be as simple as two gliders bumping or as complex as cars crashing.

A system used to specify the precise location of points or objects in space using numerical values.

The direction on an axis assigned the value of positive numbers relative to the origin (0).

A specific quantity you are trying to determine in a physics problem.

The backward velocity of a system (such as a rifle) due to an explosion or firing (like a bullet).

Momentum (p) equals mass (m) times velocity (v): p = mv

In the absence of external forces, the initial total horizontal momentum of a rifle & bullet system equals the final horizontal momentum.

The energy an object possesses due to its motion.

A collision where the total kinetic energy of the system is not conserved. Some energy is lost to other forms, like heat or sound.

A collision where the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved. No energy is lost to other forms.

A device used to measure the speed of a bullet by using momentum conservation and energy conservation principles.

The kinetic energy of the system after an inelastic collision is lower than the kinetic energy before the collision. Some energy is lost due to heat, sound, or deformation.

In an isolated system, the total momentum remains constant before and after a collision, regardless of whether the collision is elastic or inelastic.

Energy is conserved throughout the process. Initially, the bullet has kinetic energy. After the collision, the bullet and block have kinetic energy, which is converted to potential energy as the pendulum swings.

Momentum is conserved during the impact (first stage). The momentum of the bullet before the collision equals the momentum of the bullet and block after the collision. Energy is conserved during the swing (second stage). The kinetic energy of the bullet and block after the impact is converted to potential energy as the pendulum swings.

The ballistic pendulum's motion is analyzed in two stages: (1) bullet embedding into the block and (2) the block-bullet system swinging together.

The assumption that the collision is perfectly inelastic might not always be true. If there's a small amount of energy lost to other forms, this loss will affect the calculated speed.

During the first stage, the total horizontal momentum of the bullet-block system is conserved because no significant external horizontal forces act on it.

Energy is not conserved in the first stage because a non-conservative force (friction) acts between the bullet and block, converting some energy to heat.

During the second stage, only conservative forces (gravity and string tension) act on the system, so mechanical energy (kinetic and potential) is conserved.

The final velocity of the block-bullet system after the collision can be calculated using energy conservation, relating the initial kinetic energy to the potential energy at the highest point of the swing.

The initial velocity of the bullet can be determined from the final velocity of the block-bullet system using the conservation of momentum equation.

The assumption of negligible movement of the block during the bullet embedding is crucial to apply momentum conservation.