Tutorial details

Section I: Momentum as a vector

In this section, students consider scenarios involving boats on a lake. They find the momentum of each boat and the momentum of the system of both boats for the cases where the boats travel (1) in the same direction and (2) in opposite directions.

Section II: Momentum of objects in a collision

Students consider an experiment involving a collision between two gliders, A & B. They make predictions about the momentum for different systems before and after the collision, then create momentum diagrams and use conservation of momentum to check their predictions.

Students then consider additional experiments where one glider becomes more and more massive. They make similar predictions, then create additional momentum diagrams to check those predictions.

Section III: Forces and momentum

Students examine three different systems from the original experiment: (1) the system of glider A, (2) the system of glider B, and (3) the system of the two gliders. For each of these systems, students consider whether the momentum is changing and sketch a free-body diagram. This procedure is then repeated for a modified experiment where block B is on a rough section of the track and remains at rest. This culminates in questions E & F, where students summarize the conditions under which the momentum of an object or system does not change.

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Prerequisite tutorials

The Newton's second and third laws tutorial is a prerequisite to Conservation of momentum.

Other prerequisites

Students must be familiar with the definition of momentum.

Equipment

List

• tutorial instructor slides
• tutorial student slides or worksheet

Discussion