GCSE Physics Revision — Momentum (GCSE)
Revise Momentum (GCSE) for GCSE Physics with a topic explanation, worked example and common mistakes. Check the board notes for specification differences.
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What is Momentum (GCSE)?
Momentum is a measure of an object's motion, defined as the product of its mass and velocity (p=mv). It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The principle of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, the total momentum before a collision or explosion is equal to the total momentum after.
Board notes: A Higher Tier topic for all major GCSE Physics boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). Conservation of momentum calculations are a common feature of exams.
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example
A 5kg trolley moving at 2 m/s collides with a stationary 3kg trolley. They stick together. What is their velocity after the collision? Solution: Total momentum before = (5kg x 2 m/s) + (3kg x 0 m/s) = 10 kg m/s. Total mass after = 5kg + 3kg = 8kg. Total momentum after = 8kg x v. By conservation of momentum, 10 = 8v, so v = 10/8 = 1.25 m/s.
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Common mistakes
- 1Confusing momentum with kinetic energy. They are related but different concepts. Momentum is always conserved in a collision, but kinetic energy is only conserved in an elastic collision.
- 2Forgetting that momentum is a vector. The direction of motion is crucial. When objects are moving in opposite directions, one velocity must be treated as negative.
- 3Using the wrong units. Momentum is measured in kilogram metres per second (kg m/s).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the conservation of momentum?
The principle of conservation of momentum states that for a system of interacting objects, the total momentum remains constant, provided no external forces act on the system. This is particularly useful for analysing collisions and explosions.
What is impulse?
Impulse is the change in momentum of an object. It is equal to the force applied multiplied by the time the force acts for (Impulse = FΔt = Δp). This is why safety features like airbags and crumple zones work - they increase the time of impact, which reduces the force.