Momentum and Collisions
PHYS 201 · Module 4
This module studies momentum as a conserved vector quantity. Students analyze impulse, conservation of linear momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions, and the motion of the center of mass.
Lessons in this module
Impulse and momentum
Impulse describes how force acting over time changes momentum. This lesson presents momentum, impulse, Newton's second law in momentum form, and applications to impacts.
Conservation of linear momentum
Total linear momentum is conserved when the net external impulse on a system is zero. This lesson explains system choice, internal forces, explosions, recoil, and vector conservation.
Elastic and inelastic collisions
Collisions are classified by whether kinetic energy is conserved. This lesson compares elastic, inelastic, and perfectly inelastic collisions using momentum and energy.
Center of mass
The center of mass represents the average position of mass in a system. This lesson explains how it is calculated and why its motion simplifies multi-particle systems.
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