Download Momentum Unit Test Study Guide Conceptual Understanding What

Momentum Unit Test Study Guide
Conceptual Understanding
1. What is meant by an isolated system? Why are we concerned with isolated systems when we
talk about momentum?
2. Can an object experience a momentum change without accelerating? Explain.
3. Can a bullet and a truck have the same momentum? Explain.
4. Explain the idea of impulse in words rather than mathematically.
5. A ball is falling toward Earth. Why is the ball’s momentum not conserved? Can you define a
system where momentum would be conserved?
6. Why are cars made with collapsible bumpers?
7. A pitcher throws a curve ball to a catcher. Assuming the speed of the ball is constant during its
flight, which player exerts a larger impulse on the ball? Which player exerts a larger force on
the ball?
8. For a given velocity change, explain what happens if the time interval over which the force
acts changes. Give an example from a lab/activity that we did.
9. For a constant force, explain what happens if the time interval over which the force acts
changes. Give an example from a lab/activity that we did.
10. Why is momentum conserved? You should start with Newton’s 3rd Law.
11. Be able to derive the impulse-momentum theorem. (Hint: start with Newton’s 2nd law.)
12. How do Newton’s laws of motion relate to a closed, isolated system of two objects that collide?
13. Which ball exerts a greater force on a bottle—one that bounces back when it hits the bottle or
one that stops? Which one would you rather use to try to win a prize at the fair?
Problem-Solving
Your book has a wide variety of appropriate problems that you should be able to solve. On
page 253, 83-87 and pg. 254 89-91 would be good practice problems. On page 255, 2,4-8
(except for #6 as we only discussed angular momentum briefly). Page 870: 1-9 (no angles).