How Do Momentum and Impulse Relate in a Collision?

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the relationship between momentum and impulse in the context of collisions. It establishes that impulse is defined as the change in momentum, represented by the equation F delta T = m delta v. In the example provided, a 2 kg block moving at 3 m/s collides with a 6 kg block, resulting in a final velocity of 1 m/s. The impulse can be calculated by recognizing that the total momentum before and after the collision remains constant, leading to the conclusion that impulse equals the change in momentum of the system.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law (F=ma)
  • Familiarity with the concepts of momentum (mass x velocity)
  • Knowledge of impulse (force x delta time)
  • Basic calculus for integrating equations
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  • Study the conservation of momentum in elastic and inelastic collisions
  • Learn how to calculate impulse in various collision scenarios
  • Explore the application of Newton's laws in real-world physics problems
  • Investigate the role of time duration in impulse calculations
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Physics students, educators, and professionals in engineering or mechanics who seek to deepen their understanding of momentum and impulse in collision dynamics.

Air_force_two
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I'm a little confused about momentum and impulse.
Its not a single problem but just how they relate.

For example if a 2kg block moving at 3 m/s hits a 6 kg block,
then it will move 1 m/s because momentum is conserved with
6 momentos on either side of the equation. If the impact time is 1 millisecond
whats the impulse? I don't know how you get impulse from momentos.
Impulse is force x delta time and Momentum is mass x velocity, but in this problem
how do i get impulse using the fact that the system's momentum is 6 momentos.
 
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Airforcetwo,
What you have to understand is that Change in Momentum = Impulse, as described in the equation F delta T=m delta v. So in this case, it is not 6 momentos on either side, but 6 momentos combined because the initial Momentum must equal the final Momentum, which is the Momentum of both blocks added together.
-C
 
Last edited:
We have Newton's second law:

F=ma

This can be expressed as:
F=m\frac{dv}{dt}=\frac{d(mv)}{dt}=\frac{dp}{dt}

Assuming the mass doesn't change. Now, if we integrate both sides with respect to time, we get the impulse I: (assume correct limits of integration)

I=\int{Fdt}=\int{\frac{dp}{dt}dt}=\int{dp}=\Delta p = p_f-p_i
Therefore, the impulse is simply the change in momentum.
 

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