Overview

Momentum in its most basic form is mass in motion.  We will be learning about how mass changes its state of motion using equations for impulse as well.  This unit is very important in helping you to understand how to think mathematically about various situations.  The goal of this unit is to not only make you comfortable with the concepts of momentum, but to more importantly help you to become a stronger and more well-rounded thinker.  You will learn a new way of thinking during this unit which can be a challenge, but will certainly be rewarding.

Objectives

By the end of the forces unit, you should be able to:

  1. Explain how mass and velocity affect momentum
  2. Explain the concept of momentum and solve problems involving mass/velocity/momentum.
  3. Be able to differentiate and apply the idea of elastic collisions, inelastic collisions, and explosion events.
  4. Be able to apply conservation of momentum in a variety of physical interactions conceptually and mathematically.
  5. Understand impulse and be able to calculate velocity, time of impact, force, and impulse.
  6. Understand the relationship between force and time of impact and be able to apply the concept to different physical interactions.

Momentum Unit Daily Schedule

Main goal:Describe the relationship between momentum and impulse. (3.1-3.2)

Class Agenda:

  1. Watch Newton's Dark Secrets (Video)
    • On a sheet of paper that you will turn in describe 3 things that you learned about Newton that you did not previously know and explain how they contribute to modern society in some way.
  2. Read lessons 1a & 1b (Link)
  3. Momentum and Impulse Instruction (Notes) (Video)
  4. Practice momentum-related problems (page 2 in Momentum packet) (KEY) (Video Explanations)

Homework:

  1. Complete page 2 in Momentum packet (KEY) (Video Explanations)
  2. Read lessons 1a & 1b (Link)

Main goal:

Be able to solve for the mass or velocity of objects experiencing momentum (3.3 - 3.4)

Class Agenda:

  1. Discuss "15 Daily Habits Highly Successful People Have" (link)
  2. Review momentum and impulse (Notes) (Video)
  3. Discuss the Law of Conservation of Momentum (Notes) (Video)
  4. Begin collision problem calculations (pgs. 3-7 in Momentum packet) (KEY) (Video Explanations)
  5. Read lessons 2d & 2e (Link)

Homework:

  1. Pages 3-7 in Momentum packet (KEY) (Video Explanations)
  2. Read lessons 2d & 2e (Link)

Main goal:

Be able to solve for the mass or velocity of objects experiencing momentum (3.3 - 3.4)

Class Agenda:

  1. Discuss senior year science electives (course videos)
  2. Complete collision problem calculations (pgs. 3-7 in Momentum packet) (KEY) (Video Explanations)
  3. Attempt momentum graph problems (pgs. 10-12 in Momentum packet)
  4. Read lessons 2a, 2b, & 2c (Link)

Homework:

  1. Complete pages 3-7 in Momentum packet (KEY) (Video Explanations)
  2. Read lessons 2a, 2b, & 2c (Link)

Main goal:

Be able to determine the momentum, mass and/or velocity of objects graphically, mathematically and conceptually (3.1 - 3.6)

Class Agenda:

  1. Determine the momentum, mass and/or velocity of various objects based on graphs (pgs. 10-12 in Momentum packet) (Video Explanations)
  2. Review momentum concepts (pgs. 14-15 in Momentum packet) on (no answer key - use check steps and review similar problems to see if you are correct!)
  3. Complete Momentum packet) (KEY) (Video Explanations)

Homework:

  1. Complete full Momentum packet except pg. 13 (KEY) (Video Explanations)
  2. Skim lesson 1 & 2 readings (Link)
  3. Study for exam next class

See review materials at the bottom of this page!

Momentum review will be collected next class!

Main goal:

Demonstrate your knowledge of momentum. (3.1-3.6)

Class Agenda:

  1. Brief review of momentum (come with questions!)
  2. Complete momentum exam (answer key here)
  3. Begin 2D Motion unit

Homework:

  1. TBA

Readings

All of the readings for this unit will be from the physicsclasroom.com website.  This is a phenomenal website that makes difficult concepts much easier to comprehend.  For the momentum unit, we will be using the "Momentum and Its Conservation" section of the website.  It is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with this additional resource if you have not already done so for the last unit!  You should have all of the readings finished by the day of the exam.

Videos

Please use the following videos in order to understand how to interpret graphs dealing with momentum-based situations.

This video gives an overview of how to interpret momentum-based graphs as well as how all of the formulas in the momentum unit relate.  It is a really important one to watch! (goes with page 10)

Watch video 1

This second video gives an explanation of elastic collision based graphs (goes with page 11)

Watch video 2

This last video gives and explanation of inelastic collision based graphs (goes with page 12)

Watch video 3

Momentum Unit Practice Problems Packet

Additional Practice (KEY) (Video Explanations)

Momentum Unit Answer Key

It is VERY importatnt that you try the problems in the momentum packet without looking at the answer key while doing the work. This can give you a false sense that you are understanding the concepts while you may not be truly understanding them.  Use the answer key at your discretion - meaning use it wisely!  Do the practice problems on your own and then look at the answers after you have completed them.  If you are not understanding a concept, it may be useful to work one problem in reverse and then put the answer key away while working others using that problem as an example.

Contact: Jeff.Batey@D214.org