Momentum, Collisions and Explosions

We have 15 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Momentum and Collisions, along with many review sets comprised of the problems in these sets (CP = Conceptual Physics, HP = Honors Physics).

These problem sets focus on the use of momentum principles to mathematically analyze systems involving collisions and explosions or explosive-like impulses.

Problem Sets

Set MC1: Momentum
6 Problems - Easy Difficulty

Use the momentum equation p = m•v to calculate the momentum or velocity of an object if given the other quantities.

Set MC2: Impulse-Momentum Change 1
9 Problems - Very Easy Difficulty

Use the impulse-momentum change theorem to calculate forces, impulses, momentum changes, and final speeds. Each problem has a considerable degree of scaffolding.

Set MC3: Impulse-Momentum Change 2
10 Problems - Easy Difficulty

Use the impulse-momentum change theorem to calculate forces, impulses, momentum changes, and final speeds.

Set MC4: Impulse-Momentum Change 3
7 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use the impulse-momentum change theorem to analyze a collection of unusual situations, including proportional reasoning questions and rebounding situations.

Set MC5: F•t=∆p – Multiple-Impulse Scenarios
5 Problems - Hard Difficulty

Use the impulse-momentum change theorem to calculate forces, impulses, momentum changes, and final speeds in situations involving a series of consecutive impulses.

Set MC6: Explosions 1
8 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use momentum conservation to analyze an explosion to determine the post-explosion velocity of one of the objects.

Set MC7: Explosions 2
7 Problems - Hard Difficulty

Use momentum conservation to analyze an explosion or explosion-like scenario to determine the post-explosion velocity of one of the objects.

Set MC8: Collision Analysis 1
9 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use momentum conservation to analyze a hit-and-stick style collision.

Set MC9: Collision Analysis 2
6 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use momentum conservation to analyze a hit-and-bounce style collision.

Set MC10: Collision Analysis 3
7 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use momentum conservation to analyze a collision in which both objects are moving prior to the collision and attention MUST be given to the direction of motion.

Set MC11: Momentum Plus Problems 1
4 Problems - Hard Difficulty

Analyze a situation involving an explosive-like impulse by combining momentum conservation with either Newton's laws and kinematics or work and energy

Set MC12: Momentum Plus Problems 2
7 Problems - Very Hard Difficulty

Analyze a situation involving a collision by combining momentum conservation with either Newton's laws and kinematics or work and energy.

Set MC13: Elastic Collisions
6 Problems - Very Hard Difficulty

Analyze a perfectly elastic collision using a system of two equations (momentum and kinetic energy equations) in order to determine the post-collision velocities.

Set MC14: Two-Dimensional Collisions 1
5 Problems - Hard Difficulty

Analyze collisions in which the colliding objects are initially moving at right angles to one another.

Set MC15: Two-Dimensional Collisions 2
5 Problems - Very Hard Difficulty

Analyze collisions in which the colliding objects are initially moving at right angles to one another.

Summary Sets

These activities are combinations of the above Problem Sets, used primarily for Lesson Plans activities and Review

Momentum and Collisions 1: Explosion Analysis (CP)
3 Problems - Easy Difficulty

Use a momentum table and/or the law of momentum conservation to solve the following problems.

Momentum and Collisions 1: Collision Analysis
5 Problems - Medium Difficulty