Conservation of Linear Momentum, Collisions

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Video Clips

Conservation of Momentum (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
6:29 minutes (0:00 - 6:29)

Definitions, including p = m*v and F = dp/dt.

Prior Knowledge: Force
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Inelastic Collisions (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
9:44 minutes (6:29 - 16:13)

Example, showing momentum conserved but kinetic energy lost; examples of KE loss.

Prior Knowledge: Conservation of Momentum (beginning of V15)
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Real-World Collisions (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
6:39 minutes (16:13 - 22:52)

Example of inelastic car collision in 2D; explosions and gain of KE.

Prior Knowledge: Inelastic Collisions (6:29 of V15)
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Collision Demonstrations (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
12:37 minutes (22:52 - 35:29)

Demonstrations showing blocks exploding apart on air track; p = 0 while KE increases.

Prior Knowledge: Real World Collisions (16:13 of V15)
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Elastic Collisions (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
9:41 minutes (0:00 - 9:41)

Definition, including superelastic collisions; equations of motion for elastic collisions; limiting cases.

Prior Knowledge: Conservation of Momentum (beginning of V15)
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Video RealVideo®
13:11 minutes (9:41 - 22:52)

Elastic collisions of billiard balls and shuttles on air track; 3 demonstrations.

Prior Knowledge: Elastic Collisions (beginning of V16)
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Center of Mass Frame (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
8:08 minutes (22:52 - 31:00)

Calculations in reference frame of CM; transforms back and forth.

Prior Knowledge: Conservation of Momentum (beginning of V15)
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Heat Loss in Collisions (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
9:05 minutes (31:00 - 40:05)

Calculation of heat loss in inelastic collision using lab frame and CM frame; limiting cases.

Prior Knowledge: Center of Mass Frame (22:52 of V16)
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Video RealVideo®
8:46 minutes (40:05 - 48:51)

Inelastic collisions on air track with m-->m and m-->2m; detailed calculations and predictions.

Prior Knowledge: Heat Loss in Collisions (31:00 of V16)
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Ballistic Pendulum (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
6:04 minutes (0:00 - 6:04)

Setup and calculations for system of bullet hitting pendulum to measure speed.

Prior Knowledge: Conservation of Momentum (beginning of V15) and Pendulum (29:07 of V10)
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Video RealVideo®
5:48 minutes (6:04 - 11:52)

Numerical calculations for ballistic pendulum experiment; kinetic energy loss approximated.

Prior Knowledge: Ballistic Pendulum (beginning of V17)
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Inelastic Collisions (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
3:15 minutes (45:53 - 49:08)

Conservation of momentum in inelastic collisions; loss of kinetic energy to heat; internal forces.

Prior Knowledge: Collisions (6:29 of V15)
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Review of Collisions (8.01, Fall 1999)

Video RealVideo®
7:43 minutes (0:00 - 7:43)

Elastic and inelastic collision equations of motion; loss of kinetic energy to heat.

Prior Knowledge: Collisions (6:29 of V15)
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Lecture Notes

Momentum (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF - 1.6 MB#
Page 1 to page 4

Definition of momentum (p = m*v); Newton's laws and momentum; law of conservation of momentum of a particle and of a system of particles, with examples; relationship between forces and momentum; elastic and inelastic collision, with examples.

Prior Knowledge: Newton's Laws
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Center of Mass Motion (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF - 1.6 MB#
Page 1 to page 6

Center of mass of an area of constant thickness, with examples; motion of the center of mass; internal and external forces, with examples; energy of a system of particles; variable mass motion, with rocket example.

Prior Knowledge: Momentum, Center of Mass
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Variable Mass Example (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF#
Page 1

Variable mass motion example problem.

Prior Knowledge: Lecture 18
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Impulse and Collisions (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF#
Page 1 to page 6

Definition of impulsive force, with example; elastic and inelastic collisions, with examples in one-dimension and two-dimensions.

Prior Knowledge: Momentum, Conservation of Energy
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Collisions (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF - 1.8 MB#
Page 1 to page 6

Two-dimension elastic collisions, with example; ballistic pendulum; definition and properties of collisions; collisions and kinetic energy in center of mass frame of reference.

Prior Knowledge: Lecture 19
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Momentum (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF - 1.5 MB#
Page 1 to page 9

Definition of momentum (p = m*v); Newton's laws and momentum; law of conservation of momentum of a particle and of a system of particles, with examples; relationship between forces and momentum; elastic and inelastic collision, with examples.

Prior Knowledge: Newton's Laws
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Center of Mass Motion (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF - 1.6 MB#
Page 1 to page 16

Center of mass of an area of constant thickness, with examples; motion of the center of mass; internal and external forces, with examples; energy of a system of particles; variable mass motion, with rocket example.

Prior Knowledge: Momentum, Center of Mass
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Variable Mass Example (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF 1.2 MB#
Page 1

Variable mass motion example problem.

Prior Knowledge: Lecture 18
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Impulse and Collisions (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF 1.2 MB#
Page 2 to page 16

Definition of impulsive force, with example; elastic and inelastic collisions, with examples in one-dimension and two-dimensions.

Prior Knowledge: Momentum, Conservation of Energy
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Collisions (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF - 1.1 MB#
Page 1 to page 12

Two-dimension elastic collisions, with example; ballistic pendulum; definition and properties of collisions; and collisions and kinetic energy in center of mass frame of reference.

Prior Knowledge: Lecture 19
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Conservation of Momentum (8.01L, Fall 2005)

Document PDF
Page 1

Summary of work/energy; momentum defined, with equation (p = m*v); conservation of momentum.

Prior Knowledge: Work-Energy
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Momentum and Energy (8.01L, Fall 2005)

Document PDF
Page 1

Conservation of momentum and energy; collisions.

Prior Knowledge: Momentum
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Collisions (8.01L, Fall 2005)

Document PDF
Page 1

General problem-solving strategy, techniques, and helpful hints; momentum formulas.

Prior Knowledge: Momentum
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Conservation of Momentum (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Page 1 to page 27

Definition of momentum (p = m*v) and impulse; non-constant force and impulse; conservation of momentum; translational motion of the center of mass; modeling external forces and conservation of momentum; modeling of instantaneous collisions; momentum diagrams and equations.

Prior Knowledge: Newton's Laws
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Collision Theory (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF#
Page 1 to page 20

Momentum and impulse equations; definition of conservation of momentum for an isolated system; momentum problem solving strategies; momentum diagram and equations; planar collision theory; elastic collisions; 2D elastic collision example problem.

Prior Knowledge: Lecture 19
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Experiment 7 (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Page 1 to page 14

Momentum and collision experiment setup and procedure.

Prior Knowledge: Lecture 21
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Linear Momentum Review (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Page 1 to page 8

Momentum and change of momentum defined, with equations; strategies for solving momentum and impulse problems; collisions and conservation of momentum; center of mass.

Prior Knowledge: Lectures 19, 21
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Practice Problems

Energy and Momentum (8.01L, Fall 2005)

Document PDF
Problem 1

Friction and acceleration; which forces must be known to solve for energy and momentum; kinetic energy and momentum in a collision. Solution not included.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Kinetic Energy and Momentum (8.01L, Fall 2005)

Document PDF
Problem 1 to problem 3

Changes in momentum and kinetic energy of two objects. Solution not included.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Collisions (8.01L, Fall 2005)

Document PDF
Problem 1 to problem 2

Elastic and inelastic collisions. Solution not included.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Simple Harmonic Motion (8.01L, Fall 2005)

Document PDF
Problem 1

Momentum and kinetic energy of a baseball bat; simple harmonic motion of two mass-spring systems. Solution not included.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Momentum and Mechanical Energy (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF#
Problem 24

Inelastic collision of two bodies.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Exploding Projectile (8.01T, Fall 2004)

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Problem 25

Elastic collision of two bodies, including projectile motion.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Bouncing Superballs (8.01T, Fall 2004)

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Problem 26

Elastic collision of two bodies.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF#
Problem 27

Elastic collision of two carts on a track.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Conservation of Momentum (8.01T, Fall 2004)

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Problem 28

Two people jumping off a railway flatcar.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Pendulums and Collisions (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF#
Problem 29

Elastic and inelastic collisions between a pendulum bob and an object.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Momentum of Isolated Systems (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Problem 1 to problem 4

Concept questions about conservation of momentum in isolated systems of one or more bodies.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Collisions (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Problem 4 to problem 21

Concept questions about elastic and inelastic collisions between two or more bodies; some questions involve mass-spring systems.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Experiment 7 Pre-Lab (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Problem 1

Concept questions regarding collisions of carts on a frictionless track.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF
Problem 4

Motion of an oscillating mass on a spring, before and after colliding with a lump of putty.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF#
Problem 2

Motion of two objects that collide elastically.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Experiment 7 Analysis (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF#
Problem 3

Analysis of data collected in Experiment 7.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Ballistic Pendulum (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF#
Problem 4

Measuring the speed of a bullet by shooting a block suspended by two cables.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Experiment 9 Analysis (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF#
Problem 2

Analysis of data collected in Experiment 9.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Sliding on Ice (8.01, Fall 1999)

Document PDF
Problem 3

9-part momentum problem: finding speed and kinetic energy for two people sliding a block.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Puck Collision (8.01, Fall 1999)

Document PDF#
Problem 4

For two elastically colliding pucks, calculating velocity and kinetic energy before and after collision.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Surprising Bounce (8.01, Fall 1999)

Document PDF#
Problem 5

Calculating height of tennis ball bouncing off dropped basketball.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF#
Problem 6

Momentum, kinetic energy, and velocity of center of mass for exploding particle.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Slingshot Encounter (8.01, Fall 1999)

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Problem 2

Gain in mechanical energy from looping around a planet; finding new velocity and energy.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Exam Questions

Skewed Collision (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF#
Problem 1

4-part problem; two balls collide at angle; finding momentum, speed before and after, and velocity of center of mass. Solutions are included after problems.

Prior Knowledge: None
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2D Collision (8.01, Fall 2003)

Document PDF#
Problem 1

Finding resultant velocity and kinetic energy for 2D collision; elastic vs. inelastic collision. Solutions are included after problems.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Glancing Collision (8.01, Fall 2003)

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Problem 4

Straight rod brushes against fixed object; finding ω, kinetic energy, speeds of both ends after collision. Solutions are included after problems.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Elastic Collision (8.01L, Fall 2005)

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Problem 3

Collision of two hockey pucks.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Collisions (8.01L, Fall 2005)

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Problem 5

Short answer questions about elastic and inelastic collisions.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Linear Collision (8.01L, Fall 2005)

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Problem 6

Motion of two steel balls following a linear collision.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Collision of a Ball and a Block (8.01L, Fall 2005)

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Problem 9

Motion of a moving ball colliding with a stationary block.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Collision with Mass on a Spring (8.01L, Fall 2005)

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Problem 10

Inelastic collision of a clay ball with a block connected to a spring.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Momentum in Explosion (8.01X, Fall 2002)

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Problem 6

Final speed and lost kinetic energy in explosion into two pieces.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Elastic Collision (8.01X, Fall 2002)

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Problem 7

Calculating final and initial speed of one object in collision, as well as the mass ratio.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Problem 6

For inelastic collision, finding initial and final velocities and pendulum attributes.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Impulse for a Bouncing Ball (8.01X, Fall 2002)

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Problem 12

6-part problem; p of ball before and after hitting floor; average force and impulse; change in kinetic energy.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Center of Mass Reference Frame (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Problem 1a

Elastic collision of two rolling carts with respect to reference frame moving with the center of mass.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Collisions (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Problem 1b

Collision of a moving body with a stationary body attached to a spring.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Exploding Puck (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Problem 2

Conservation of momentum of an exploding puck.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF
Problem B2

Collision of a body with another body connected to a spring.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Block and Spring (8.01T, Fall 2004)

Document PDF
Problem 1c

Inelastic collision involving an oscillating mass attached to a spring.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Elastic Collision (8.01, Fall 1999)

Document PDF
Problem 2a to problem 2b

Calculating speed of both objects after an elastic collision between a bullet and a pendulum.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF
Problem 2c to problem 2d

Calculating θmax for pendulum after an inelastic collision between a bullet and a pendulum.

Prior Knowledge: None
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Billiard Ball Collision (8.01, Fall 1999)

Document PDF
Problem 6

5-part collision problem; finding p before and after, as well as resultant velocities and kinetic energy.

Prior Knowledge: None
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MIT courses referenced in this section: