Impulse & Momentum – AP Physics 1 | ShowMeClass

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Impulse & Momentum

AP Physics 1 · Unit 4: Linear Momentum

Learning Objectives

Apply J = FΔt = Δp to solve problems

Interpret the area under an F-t graph as impulse

Explain why longer contact time reduces peak force

Connect impulse-momentum to Newton's 2nd Law

Key Equations

Impulse-Momentum Insight

Same Δp can be achieved with large F × short t (hard collision) or small F × long t (padded/cushioned). This is why airbags and crumple zones save lives!

ImpulseMomentumAP Physics 1Unit 4

p (before)0.0 kg·m/s

J applied0.0 N·s

p (after)0.0 kg·m/s

Δp = J ?—

Mass m (kg) 5 kg

Initial velocity v₀ (m/s) 0 m/s

Force F (N) 50 N

Duration Δt (s) 0.5 s

Impulse J = FΔt—

Δp = mΔv—

v_after—

J = Δp ?—

📝 Quick Quiz▼

1. A 2 kg ball at 3 m/s is hit and moves at 7 m/s. The impulse applied is:

6 N·s 8 N·s 14 N·s 4 N·s

2. Impulse equals the area under which graph?

velocity-time position-time force-time acceleration-time

3. An airbag increases collision time from 0.01 s to 0.2 s. The peak force is reduced by a factor of:

2× 10× 20× 200×