Momentum (Mass in Action) Formulas
1. Kinematic formulas
a. vf = vo + at
(i)
b. vf2 = vo2 + 2ad
(ii)
c. d = vot + ½ at2
(iii)
d. vav = (vf + vo)/2 (for constant acceleration)
e. d = vav t
2. Momentum (p) – “measure of the difficulty in stopping a moving object”
a. p = mv
3. Change in momentum (p)
a. p = mvf - mvo
b. p = m(vf – vo)
4. Impulse (J)
a. Impulse = Ft (net applied force x duration of force), but
b. Impulse = change in momentum (p), therefore
c. Ft = m(vf – vo) = mv
5. Impulsive force (F) (rearranging the
above formula)
a. F = m(vf – vo)/t = mv/t
6. Conservation of Momentum
a. Total momentum (before an event) = total momentum (after an event),
where:
i. Total momentum = the
sum of the momenta of all
objects (ex. rifle + bullet)
in the system
7. Collisions
a. Elastic = objects bounce apart with no loss of energy
b. Inelastic = objects often stick together and deformation occurs
Momentum Formulas.doc
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FDHS Physics