Grade 11/12

Physics
Elite Stream

Academic Year 2020/2021 – Term 2

 INT-5.B

• Calculate the quantities of force, time of

Learning collision, mass, and change in velocity from an
objectives expression relating impulse to change in linear
momentum for a collision of two objects.
 Impulse
Impulse is defined as the product of the average force acting on an object and the time
the force acts.
Impulse is a vector, given the symbol J and units Ns
⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡
Given that Newton’s Second law states: the rate of change of momentum is equal to the
net external force. ∆⃗𝑝
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
∆𝑡
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝
We get that impulse is equal to change in momentum

This is the impulse – momentum theorem

⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
 Impulse

⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗
𝑣−⃗
𝑣 0)

Impulse – momentum question strategy

1. List knowns and unknowns from the question.

2. Choose the two parts from the equation required to solve the question.

3. Insert values and solve equation for unknown.

 Example Question
A stationary 0.3 kg football is kicked by a footballer, the
football moves off with a velocity of 20 m/s.
a. What is the impulse imparted on the football?
b. What is the average force exerted, if the footballer
is in contact with the ball for 0.25 s?
 Example Question
A stationary 0.3 kg football is kicked by a footballer, the
football moves off with a velocity of 20 m/s.
a. What is the impulse imparted on the football?

What we know
⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
𝑚=0.3 𝑘𝑔
⃗ 0 =0 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 We can use
⃗ =20 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗𝐽 =𝑚( ⃗
𝑣−⃗
𝑣 0)
⃗𝑗=?

The impulse calculated 6 Ns is required to answer the next part of the question.
 Example Question
A stationary 0.3 kg football is kicked by a footballer, the
football moves off with a velocity of 20 m/s.
b. What is the average force exerted, if the footballer is in
contact with the ball for 0.25 s?
⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
What we know We can use

⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡
⃗𝐽
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
⃗ ∆𝑡
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =? 6
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
0.25
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =24 𝑁
 EXAMPLE Average Force on a Golf Ball
A driver is a golf club used to hit a golf ball a long distance. The
golfer hits the stationary golf ball with the driver and the ball
flies off at 40 m/s. If mass of a golf ball is 45.0 g and the ball
stays in contact with the face of the driver for 0.500 ms, what
is the average force exerted on the golf ball by the driver?

What we know ⃗𝐽=⃗

𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
⃗ 0 =0 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣
We can use
⃗ =40 𝑚 / 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
3600 N
𝑚=0.045 𝑘𝑔 ⃗ 𝑚 (⃗
𝑣−⃗𝑣0)
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
−3 ∆𝑡
∆ 𝑡=0.5 ×10 𝑠
⃗ 0.045( 40 −0)
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =? 𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = −3
0.5× 10
 EXAMPLE 8.1 Baseball Home Run
A Major League pitcher throws a fastball that crosses home plate with a speed of 40.23 m/s
and an angle of 5.0° below the horizontal. A batter slugs it for a home run, launching it with
a speed of 49.17 m/s at an angle of 35.0° above the horizontal. The mass of a baseball is
0.145 kg.

a. What is the magnitude of the impulse the baseball receives from the
bat?

b. If the ball-bat contact lasted 1.20 ms. What was the magnitude of the
average force exerted on the ball by the bat during that time?
 EXAMPLE 8.1 Baseball Home Run
A Major League pitcher throws a fastball that crosses home plate with a speed of 40.23 m/s
and an angle of 5.0° below the horizontal. A batter slugs it for a home run, launching it with a
speed of 49.17 m/s at an angle of 35.0° above the horizontal. The mass of a baseball is 0.145
kg.

a. What is the magnitude of the impulse the baseball receives from

the bat?
What we know
⃗ 0 =40.23 𝑚 / 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗ =49.17 𝑚 / 𝑠
𝑣 𝑚=0.145 𝑘𝑔 ⃗𝑗=?

⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
We can use

⃗𝐽 =𝑚( ⃗
𝑣−⃗
𝑣 0)

As the two velocities are not in the same plane, first we must calculate
 EXAMPLE 8.1 Baseball Home Run
A Major League pitcher throws a fastball that crosses home plate with a speed of
40.23 m/s and an angle of 5.0° below the horizontal. A batter slugs it for a home run,
launching it with a speed of 49.17 m/s at an angle of 35.0° above the horizontal. The
mass of a baseball is 0.145 kg.
a. What is the magnitude of the impulse the baseball receives from the bat?

𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 ⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0
∆⃗ ⃗ −𝑣
𝑣 =𝑣 ⃗0 -
∆⃗ ⃗ +(− 𝑣
𝑣 =𝑣 ⃗0 )
+
 EXAMPLE 8.1 Baseball Home Run
A Major League pitcher throws a fastball that crosses home plate with a speed of 40.23 m/s and an angle of 5.0° below the
horizontal. A batter slugs it for a home run, launching it with a speed of 49.17 m/s at an angle of 35.0° above the
horizontal. The mass of a baseball is 0.145 kg.

a. What is the magnitude of the impulse the baseball receives from the bat?

40.23 m/s
40.23 m/s
5° ( 180 ° −35 ° ) +5 ° =150 °

49.17 m/s ∆𝑣
49.17 m/s

35°

Using law of cosines

𝑅=√ 49.17 +40.23 −2 × 49.17 × 40.23 cos150 °
2 2
2 2 2
𝑅 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 − 2 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜗
86.38 ∴⃗
𝑣 −⃗
𝑣 0 =86.38 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑅=√ 𝐴 +𝐵 − 2 𝐴𝐵cos𝜗
2 2
 EXAMPLE 8.1 Baseball Home Run
A Major League pitcher throws a fastball that crosses home plate with a speed of 40.23 m/s and an angle of 5.0° below
the horizontal. A batter slugs it for a home run, launching it with a speed of 49.17 m/s at an angle of 35.0° above the
horizontal. The mass of a baseball is 0.145 kg.

a. What is the magnitude of the impulse the baseball receives from the bat?
Find the magnitude of impulse
⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
What we know
⃗ −𝑣
𝑣 ⃗ 0 =86.38 𝑚/ 𝑠 We can use
⃗𝐽 =𝑚( ⃗
𝑣−⃗
𝑣 0)
𝑚=0.145 𝑘𝑔
⃗𝑗=? ⃗𝐽 =0.145 × 86.38
⃗𝐽=12.5 𝑁𝑠
 EXAMPLE 8.1 Baseball Home Run
A Major League pitcher throws a fastball that crosses home plate with a speed of 40.23 m/s and
an angle of 5.0° below the horizontal. A batter slugs it for a home run, launching it with a speed
of 49.17 m/s at an angle of 35.0° above the horizontal. The mass of a baseball is 0.145 kg.

b. If the ball-bat contact lasted 1.20 ms. What was the magnitude of the average force
exerted on the ball by the bat during that time?

What we know ⃗𝐽=⃗

𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
⃗𝐽=12.5 𝑁𝑠 We can use

∆ 𝑡=1.20 × 10−3 𝑠 ⃗𝐽=⃗

𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡
⃗𝐽
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =? ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
∆𝑡
⃗ 12.5
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = −3
=10416=10.4 𝑘𝑁
1.20 × 10
 Practice Questions
1. A space shuttle has a mass of 90,000 kg . In order to stay in a circular orbit, it
must have a velocity of 8000 m/s . The pilot discovers that the shuttle has slowed
down to 7900 m/s and the shuttle’s speed needs to increase. If the thrusters
exert a constant force of 50,000 N , how long do the thrusters have to exert this
force in order to return the shuttle to orbital velocity?

2. A 0.060 kg tennis ball moving at 15 m/s strikes a tennis racket and rebounds at
10 m/s in the opposite direction, as shown below. The ball is in contact with the
racket for 0.030 s. What is the magnitude of the average force exerted by the
racket on the ball?
 Practice Questions (Solution)
1. A space shuttle has a mass of 90,000 kg . In order to stay in a circular orbit, it must have a velocity of
8000 m/s . The pilot discovers that the shuttle has slowed down to 7900 m/s and the shuttle’s speed
needs to increase. If the thrusters exert a constant force of 50,000N , how long do the thrusters have
to exert this force in order to return the shuttle to orbital velocity?

What we know ⃗𝐽=⃗

𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
We can use
m=90000 𝑘𝑔
⃗ 0 =7900 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
⃗ =8000 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗ −𝑣
𝑚 (𝑣 ⃗0 )
∆ 𝑡=
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =50000 N ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔

90000 ( 8000 − 7900 )

∆ 𝑡=? ∆ 𝑡=
50000
∆ 𝑡=180 𝑠
 Practice Questions (Solution)
2. A 0.060 kg tennis ball moving at 15 m/s strikes a tennis racket
and rebounds at 10 m/s in the opposite direction, as shown
below. The ball is in contact with the racket for 0.030 s. What is
the magnitude of the average force exerted by the racket on the
ball?
Taking the right direction as positive

What we know
⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
We can use
m=0.060 𝑘𝑔
⃗ 0 =15 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
⃗ =−10 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 𝑚(⃗
𝑣−⃗𝑣0)
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
∆ 𝑡=0.030 𝑠 ∆𝑡
The magnitude of the
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =? ⃗ 0.060 (( −10) −15 ) average force is 50 N
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = =−50 𝑁
0.030
 Impulse and Car Safety
Crumple zones, air bags
and seat belts are
designed to increase the
time it takes the car to
stop.

Impulse =Ft = F t
t= F

If impact time can be increased then the force of impact can be reduced for
the same change in momentum.
 SOLVED PROBLEM 8.1 Egg Drop
An egg in a special container is dropped from a height of 3.70 m. The
container and egg together have a mass of 0.144 kg. A net force of 4.42 N
will break the egg. What is the minimum time over which the
egg/container can come to a stop without breaking the egg?

What we know ⃗𝐽=⃗

𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
h=3.70 𝑚
We can use
𝑚=0.144 𝑘𝑔
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =4.42 N
⃗ =0 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 However, we do not know what is, therefore we must
first calculate .
∆ 𝑡=? Then we can use the quantities identified to determine
⃗ 0 =?
𝑣
 SOLVED PROBLEM 8.1 Egg Drop
An egg in a special container is dropped from a height of 3.70 m. The
container and egg together have a mass of 0.144 kg. A net force of 4.42 N
will break the egg. What is the minimum time over which the
egg/container can come to a stop without breaking the egg?

To solve first we must find

is the velocity of the container/egg just as it hits the ground
Taking the up direction as 2 2 Quick method for
𝑣 𝑦 =𝑣 𝑦 0 +2 𝑎 𝑦 ( 𝑦 − 𝑦 0 ) free falling objects
positive as in the diagram
starting at rest, the
𝑣 𝑦 0 =0 𝑚/ 𝑠 2
𝑣 𝑦 =0+ 2(−10)(− 3.70)
final velocity is
𝑣 𝑦 =?
𝑦 − 𝑦 0 =−3.70 𝑚 𝑣 𝑦 =√ 2× 10 ×3.70
𝑎 𝑦 =−10 𝑚/ 𝑠
2
𝑣 𝑦 =8.60 𝑚/ 𝑠
∴|𝑣
⃗ 0|= 8.60 𝑚/ 𝑠 m/s because it is downward.
 SOLVED PROBLEM 8.1 Egg Drop
An egg in a special container is dropped from a height of 3.70 m. The
container and egg together have a mass of 0.144 kg. A net force of 4.42 N
will break the egg. What is the minimum time over which the egg/container
can come to a stop without breaking the egg?
Taking the up direction as
positive as in the diagram
What we know ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0) So, the minimum time for the
𝑚=0.144 𝑘𝑔 egg/container to stop, without
⃗ 𝑚( ⃗
𝑣−⃗ 𝑣 0)
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =4.42 N ∆ 𝑡= breaking the egg is 0.28 s
⃗𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔
⃗ =0 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣
0.144 (0 −(− 0.86))
⃗ 0 =−8.60 𝑚 / 𝑠
𝑣 ∆ 𝑡=
4.42
∆ 𝑡=?
∆ 𝑡=0.28 𝑠
 Practice Questions
1. A car of mass 1000 kg travelling at 15 m/s crashes into a
wall. Due to the crumple zone at the front of the car, the
car takes 1.2 s to comes to a stop. Calculate the average
force acting on the car.

2. A car of mass 1500 kg travelling at 20 m/s crashes into a

wall and comes to a stop. If the average force acting on
the car during the collision is 20000 N. Calculate the
time it takes the car to stop.
 Practice Questions (solution)
1. A car of mass 1000 kg travelling at 15 m/s crashes into a wall.
Due to the crumple zone at the front of the car, the car takes
1.2 s to comes to a stop. Calculate the average force acting on
the car.

Taking the left direction as positive ⃗𝐽=⃗

𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
What we know
We can use
There the average force is 12500 N
𝑚=1000 𝑘𝑔 ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0) acting in the right direction
⃗ 0 =15 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣
𝑚(⃗
𝑣−⃗ 𝑣0)
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
⃗ =0 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 ∆𝑡
∆ 𝑡 =1.2 𝑠 1000 ( 0 −15 )
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =? 1.2
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =−12500 𝑁
 Practice Questions (solution)
2. A car of mass 1500 kg travelling at 20 m/s crashes into a wall and
comes to a stop. If the average force acting on the car during the
collision is 20000 N. Calculate the time it takes the car to stop.

Taking the left direction as positive ⃗𝐽=⃗

𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
What we know
We can use

𝑚=1500 𝑘𝑔
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=𝑚(⃗𝑣 − ⃗𝑣 0)
⃗ 0 =20 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗ −𝑣
𝑚 (𝑣 ⃗0 )
∆ 𝑡=
⃗ =0 𝑚/ 𝑠
𝑣 ⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔
⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 =−20000 N 1500 ( 0 − 20 )
∆ 𝑡=
∆ 𝑡=? −20000
∆ 𝑡=1.5 𝑠
 Summary
Impulse is defined as the product of the average force acting on an object
and the time the force acts.
Applying the impulse – momentum theorem, we can solve algebraic problems
using the following equation.

⃗𝐽=⃗
𝐹 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆ 𝑡=∆ ⃗
𝑝 =𝑚(⃗
𝑣−⃗
𝑣 0)
Impulse – momentum question strategy

1. List knowns and unknowns from the question.

2. Choose the two parts from the equation required to solve the question.

3. Insert values and solve equation for unknown.