Answers to AQA GCSE Conservation of Momentum (Combined Science)
Practice Question
1. State the principle of conservation of momentum.
In a closed system, the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event.
2. Use the image below to help you answer the following question
Carriage 1 is moving forward at 15m/s and strikes carriage 2 which is stationary. After the collision both carriages move along together. Calculate the velocity of both carriages after the collision.
Momentum = mass x velocity
Before the collision
Carriage 1 = 1200kg x 15m/s = 18000 kg m/s
Carriage 2 = 1200kg x 0 m/s = 0 kg m/s
Total momentum before the collision = 18000 + 0 = 18000 kg m/s
Conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.
Total momentum after the collision = 18000 kg m/s
Velocity = momentum/mass
Total mass of 2 carriages = 1200kg + 1200kg = 2400kg
Velocity = 18000/2400 = 7.5m/s
3. Use the image below to answer the following question
A cannon of mass 2000kg, fires a cannonball of mass 200kg with a forward velocity of 10m/s. Calculate the recoil velocity of the cannon.
Momentum = mass x velocity
Momentum of cannon ball = 200kg x 10m/s = 2000 kg m/s
Principle of momentum applies here, so in this case the forward momentum will equal the backward momentum.Â
Therefore the cannon has a backward momentum of -2000 kg m/s.
Recoil velocity of cannon = momentum/mass
Recoil velocity of cannon = -2000/2000 = -1m/s
Â
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