CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

Exam-style questions and sample answers have been written by the authors. In examinations, the way marks are awarded
may be different.

Coursebook answers
Chapter 6
Science in context guidance b momentum, p = mv = 25 000 × 20 = 5.0 ×
105 kg m s−1
• There are a number of safety features in
c momentum, p = mv = 9.1 × 10−31 × 2.0 ×
modern cars, but the most common ones
107 = 1.82 × 10−23 ≈ 1.8 × 10−23 kg m s−1
are all essentially underpinned by the same
physics (Newton’s second law). 3 momentum before = mAuA + mBuB = (0.50 ×
∆p 2.0) + (0.50 × (−3.0)) = 1.0 − 1.5 = −0.5 kg m s−1
F= (i.e., to the left)
∆t
• Or force = change in momentum / time. momentum after = mAvA + mBvB = (0.50 ×
In order to reduce the impact force, these (−2.0)) + (0.50 × 1.0) = −1.0 + 0.5 = −0.5 kg m
safety devices increase the time taken for the s−1 (i.e., to the left)
momentum to change (in effect, the vehicle / 4
passenger slows down gently).
Type of collision perfectly elastic inelastic
• Seat belts have two important properties.
They need to have enough resistance to stop Momentum conserved conserved
the passenger from being thrown through Kinetic energy conserved not conserved
the windscreen (or onto the dashboard) but
need to have enough “give” to increase the Total energy conserved conserved
time taken for the passenger to slow down
(reducing the impact force). 5 a 
Before collision:
• Modern cars have “crumple zones” built into momentum of ball A, pA = mAuA = 4.0 ×
the chassis. They are designed to crumple 2.5 = +10 kg m s−1
easily on impact, so that the vehicle takes momentum of ball B, pB = mBuB = 4.0 ×
longer to reduce its momentum, reducing the (−1.5) = −6 kg m s−1
impact force. This feature has also saved the
lives of many pedestrians. b After collision:
momentum of ball A, pA = mAuA = 4.0 ×
• Air bags are designed to temporarily inflate
(−1.5) = −6 kg m s−1
when sensors detect an impact. The passenger
hits the inflated airbag which cushions momentum of ball B, pB = mBuB = 4.0 ×
the impact. 2.5 = +10 kg m s−1
c t otal momentum before collision = pA + pB
= +4 kg m s−1
Self-assessment questions
total momentum after collision = pA + pB =
1 a 
Ball B has greater mass. +4 kg m s−1
b Trolley B has greater mass. so, momentum is conserved
2 momentum, p = mv = 0.50 × 20 =
a 
10 kg m s−1

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 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

d kinetic energy before collision = 12 mAu2A + b  ou give downward momentum to the

Y
1 Earth; as you slow down, so does the
mBu2B
2 Earth. As you start to fall back down,
the Earth starts to ‘fall’ back up towards
= ( 12 × 4.0 × (2.5)2) + ( 12 × 4.0 × (1.5)2)
you. At all times, your momentum is
= 12.5 + 4.5 = 17 J equal and opposite to that of the Earth,
kinetic energy after collision = 1 mAv2A + so combined momentum is zero, i.e.,
2 conserved.
1 mBv2B
2 8 If u = initial velocity and v = final velocity,
change in momentum of ball
= ( 12 × 4.0 × (1.5)2) + ( 12 × 4.0 × (2.5)2)
Δ
 p = mv − mu = m(v − u) = 0.40 × (1.5 − (−1.2))
= 4.5 + 12.5 = 17 J = 1.08 kg m s−1
so, k.e. before = k.e. after change in k.e. ΔEk = 12 mv2 − 12 mu2 = 12 m(v2
e relative speed before = 2.5 − (−1.5) = 4.0 m − u2)
s−1 1
= 2
× 0.40 × ((1.2)2 − (1.5)2) = −0.162 J
relative speed after = 2.5 − (−1.5) = 4.0 m
s−1  he wall has gained momentum. The ball
T
has lost kinetic energy, which has become
6 a before after thermal energy (heat) of the ball and air.
The momentum given to the wall and Earth
2.0 m s–1 u= 0 v= ? 1.2 m s–1
is equal and opposite to this value but the
kinetic energy given to the Earth = the lost
A B A B
1.0 kg 2.0 kg 1.0 kg 2.0 kg
kinetic energy from the ball. So, 0.162 = 12 mv2,
where m is the mass of the Earth and v is the
velocity, with which it recoils. v is very low
b Call 1.0 kg trolley A. since the mass is very large indeed.
Call 2.0 kg trolley B. 9 Consider the movement of the moving ball
Conservation of momentum means before the collision. If we take its direction of
movement as the x-axis, and the perpendicular
momentum before collision = momentum
to its direction of movement as the y-axis,
after collision
then compare before and after the collision.
so, mAuA + mBuB = mAvA + mBvB
 efore collision: component of momentum
B
Rearrange to find speed of first trolley along x-axis only; no component along y-axis.
after collision, vA
After collision: the second ball has a
mAuA + mBuB − mBvB = mAvA component of momentum along the y-axis
vA = mA uA + mB uB – mBvB (as it moves away at an angle to the x-axis).
mA Therefore, to conserve momentum along the
(1.0 × 2.0 ) + ( 2.0 × 0.0 ) − ( 2.0 ×1.2 ) y-axis, after the collision, the first ball must
=
1.0 also have an equal and opposite component of
= −0.40 m s−1 momentum along the y-axis. So, the first ball
The minus sign indicates that the first must change direction.
trolley reverses direction. Before After
7 a 
If you consider the star to be stationary v1
before exploding, the star has zero
u
momentum. After the explosion, matter
flies off in all directions: equal amounts of
momentum are created in all directions, so
their (vector) sum is zero. Momentum is
conserved.

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 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

10 5.0 kg ms–1 Consider momentum conservation in the

y-direction (taking ‘upwards’ as positive):
36.9° 53.1°
0 = −m × 0.80 sin 20° + m × Vy
so, Vy = 0.80 sin 20° = 0.27 m s−1
c  agnitude of velocity of second ball, V,
M
4.0 kg ms–1
3.0 kg ms–1 is given by Pythagoras’ theorem:
V2 = (Vx)2 + (Vy)2
so, V = ( 0.25 )2 + ( 0.27 )2  = 0.37 m s−1
 
11 C
 onsider momentum changes in the direction of velocity of second ball, angle
y-direction. θ to the x-direction
 Vy   0.27 
Before collision: = tan−1   = tan−1   = 47°
 Vx   0.25 
momentum = 0
change in momentum, Dp = mv − mu =
13 a 
After collision: m(v − u)
component of momentum of particle 1 = 2.40
= 1000 × (24 − 10) = 1.4 × 104 kg m s−1
sin 60° = 2.08 kg m s−1 upwards
∆p 1.4 × 10 4
component of momentum of particle 2 = 2.40 b force, F = = = 933 N ≈ 930 N
∆t 15
sin 60° = 2.08 kg m s−1 downwards
Rearrange F = ∆∆pt to give change in
14 a 
These components are equal and opposite and
momentum
hence their sum is zero.
 p = F Dt = 240 × 0.25 = 60 kg m s−1 (or 60
D
Consider momentum changes in the
N s)
x-direction.
b In the direction of the kicking force
Before collision:
momentum = 2.40 kg m s−1 to the right 15 Force applied to water
∆p m( v − u )
After collision: = =
∆t ∆t
component of momentum of particle 1 = 2.40
cos 60° = 1.20 kg m s−1 to the right m
= (v − u )
∆t
c omponent of momentum of particle 2 = 2.40 = 10 × (0 − 5.0) = −50 N
cos 60° = 1.20 kg m s−1 to the right
(Negative because force applied to water is
total momentum = 1.20 + 1.20 = 2.40 kg m s−1 against the direction of water flow)
to the right
so, force of water on wall = 50 N
Hence, momentum is conserved in both the
x- and y-directions, so total momentum is If the water bounces, a greater force is applied
conserved. because of a greater change in momentum.
12 a  component of velocity of first ball in 16 force exerted by golf club,
x-direction = 1.00 m s−1 ∆p m( v − u ) 0.046 × (50 − 0 )
F= = =
component of velocity of first ball in ∆t ∆t 0.0013
y-direction = 0 1.77 × 103 N ≈ 1.8 kN

b  ssume that each ball has mass m and

A
that the second ball has velocity V Exam-style questions
at an angle θ to the x-direction (with 1 C[1]
components Vx in the x-direction and Vy
in the y-direction). 2 B[1]
Consider momentum conservation in the 3 D[1]
x-direction: 4  he law of conservation of momentum
T
m × 1.00 = m × 0.80 cos 20° + m × Vx applies if the Earth is considered to rise as
Cancel m from all terms, so Vx = 1.00 − the ball falls. The momentum of the Earth
0.80 cos 20° = 0.25 m s−1

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 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

change in momentum
upwards equals the momentum of the ball b force = [1]
downwards.[1] time
26 400
 he weight of the ball has an equal and
T = = 1320 N ≈ 1300 N[1]
20
upwards force on the Earth due to Newton’s c average speed during braking = 12 m s−1[1]
third law.[1]
so, distance travelled in 20 s = 12 × 20 =
5 a  momentum of ball before striking wall 240 m[1]
= mass × velocity = 2 × 3.0 = 6.0 kg m s−1
towards the ball[1] 9 momentum = mass × velocity[1]
a 

momentum after striking the wall = 0.10 × 0.40 = 0.040 kg m s−1[1]

= 6.0 kg m s−1 away from the wall[1] b  or each marble, component of
F
change in momentum of ball = 12 kg m s−1 momentum in x-direction = half of
away from the wall[1] original momentum = 0.020 kg m s−1[1]
0.020
b  here is no change in kinetic energy as the
T so, momentum of one marble = cos 45°
ball’s speed and mass are unchanged.[1] = 0.0283 kg m s [1]
−1

6 linear momentum = mass × velocity[1]

a  and velocity = 00.0283
.10
= 0.283 m s−1 ≈
0.28 m s [1]
−1

b [units of mass] × [units of velocity] =

c k.e. before = 12 mv2 = 12 × 0.10 × 0.402 =
kg m s−1[1]
0.0080 J[1]
Using v2 = 2as,
c  k.e. after = 2 × 12 × 0.10 × 0.2832 = 0.0080 J
v = ( 2 × 3.5 × 40 ) = 280 = 16.7 m s−1[1] [1]
so, momentum = mass × speed initial momentum of ball = 0.16 × 25
10 a 
= 900 × 16.7, so momentum = 4.0 kg m s−1[1]
= 1.5 × 104 kg m s−1[1] change in momentum = 4.0 − (−4.0)

d c ombined momentum to left = 8.0 kg m s−1[1]
= 3.0 × 4.0 − 2.0 × 4.0 = 4.0 kg m s−1[1] b force = change intime
momentum 8
= 0.003 [1]
combined mass = 8.0 kg[1] = 2667 N ≈ 2700 N
so, velocity after collision (This is the force on the ball but is equal
4.0 and opposite to the force on the bat.)[1]
= = 0.50 m s−1 to the left[1]
8.0
c The bat slows down.[1]
7 i  In an elastic collision, both momentum
a 
and kinetic energy are conserved.[1] The law of conservation of momentum
requires that the change in momentum
ii In an inelastic collision, momentum is of the ball and of the bat are equal but in
conserved but not kinetic energy.[1] opposite directions.[1]
b c hange in momentum = Energy is neither created nor destroyed,
momentum after − momentum before[1] but thermal energy (heat/internal energy)
= 0.35 × 2.5 − 0.35 × (−2.8) = and sound are created from the drop in
1.855 kg m s−1 ≈ 1.9 kg m s−1[1] k.e. (of the bat).[1]
The impact is non-elastic.[1]
c  hen the table (plus the Earth) is also
W
considered, then the initial momentum of 11 a 
The total momentum before the collision
the ball is equal to the final momentum is equal to the total momentum after the
of the ball added to the momentum of interaction.[1]
the snooker table, and so momentum is The system is closed or there are no
conserved.[1] external forces acting.[1]
8 change in momentum =
a  b final momentum = initial momentum
i 
mass × change in velocity[1]
0.35v = 0.25 × 30[1]
= 1100 × (−24) = −26 400 N s ≈

v = 21.4 ≈ 21 m s−1[1]
−26 000 N s[1]

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ii change in momentum 13 a 

Momentum and kinetic energy[1]
= 0.25 × 30 − 0.25 × 21.4[1]
b momentum = 0.014 × 640 = 8.96 or
i 
change in momentum = 2.14 ≈ momentum ≈ 9.0 kg m s−1[1]
2.1 kg m s−1 or 2.15 ≈ 2.2 kg m s−1[1]
ii Bullets leave with momentum forwards
iii change in total kinetic energy = 1
2 and gun has equal momentum
1 backwards.[1]
× 0.25 × 302 − 2
× 0.35 × 21.42[1]
To stop motion/momentum of the gun,
change in total k.e. = 32.4 ≈ 32 J[1]
the soldier must provide a force.[1]
iv The arrow stops and the ball moves ∆p
iii F = ; 140 = n × 8.96[1]
off with a speed of 30 m s−1[1] ∆t
Relative speed remains unaltered in number of bullets per second = 15.6 or
an elastic collision, 30 m s−1[1] 15 or 16[1]
i   The total kinetic energy before the
12 a  14 a
collision is equal to the total kinetic
Change in Initial Final
energy after the collision.[1]
momentum / kinetic kinetic
ii In a completely inelastic collision, the kg m s−1 energy / J energy / J
maximum amount of kinetic energy is truck X 6.0 × 104 2.5 × 105 4.0 × 104
lost (subject to the law of conservation
of momentum, which must be truck Y 6.0 × 104 1.5 × 104 1.35 × 105
obeyed).[1] One mark for each correct change in
b i 
Momentum is conserved, as there momentum[2]
are no external forces / the system One mark for correct kinetic energy
is closed.[1] values for X[2]
Momentum of alpha-particle in one One mark for correct kinetic energy
direction must equal that of uranium values for Y.[2]
nucleus in the exactly opposite b t otal initial k.e. = 2.65 × 105 J and total
direction for the change to be zero.[1] final k.e. = 1.75 × 105 J[1]
ii 6.65 × 10−27 × vα + 3.89 × 10−25 × vx = 0 Collision is not elastic, because the total
[1] k.e. has decreased in the collision[1]
va
iii  = −58.5 ≈ −58 or −59[1] ∆p 6.0 × 10 4
vx c force = = [1]
∆t 1.6
3.75 × 10 ≈ 3.7 or 3.8 × 104 N[1]
4

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
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