Lesson: Impulse and Collisions

Physics

In this lesson, we will learn how to calculate the change in the momentum of an object that experiences a given force for a given time.

Video

10:33

Sample Question Videos

02:27
07:44
04:20

Worksheet

Q1:

Water from a fire hose is directed horizontally against a wall at a rate of 50.0 kg/s and a speed of 42.0 m/s. Calculate the force exerted on the wall, assuming the water’s horizontal momentum is reduced to zero.

Q2:

A car crashes into a large tree that does not move. The car decelerates from a velocity of 30 m/s to rest over a distance of 1.3 m. A driver of mass 70 kg is sitting in the car when it crashes.

What impulse is applied to the driver by the seatbelt, assuming he follows the same motion as the car?

What is the average force applied to the driver by the seatbelt?

Q3:

A piece of microdebris in Earth’s orbit has a mass of 8.55 µg. The debris strikes a spacecraft at a velocity of 1.28 km/s relative to the spacecraft. The microdebris particle comes to rest relative to the spacecraft 74.8 ns after striking it. What magnitude force was exerted on the spacecraft by the collision?

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