Momentum & collisions worksheet with answers

Free printable Momentum & collisions worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy
0.3 kgv = ?

A 0.3 kg ball at rest is kicked. The foot pushes it with an average force of 550 N for 4 ms. Find the speed v of the ball just after the kick.

m = 0.3 kgFavg = 550 NΔt = 4 ms
v = m/s
2.Easy
3 kg400 m/sV = ?

A 3 kg rifle, free to move, fires an 8 g bullet at 400 m/s. Both start at rest. Find the recoil speed V of the rifle.

M = 3 kgm = 8 gv = 400 m/s
V = m/s
3.Medium
1.5 kg8 m/s3.5 kg

A 1.5 kg glider moving at 8 m/s makes a perfectly elastic head-on collision with a 3.5 kg glider at rest on a frictionless track. Find the velocity v′1 of the first glider after the collision (positive in its original direction).

m1 = 1.5 kgm2 = 3.5 kgv1 = 8 m/sv2 = 0
v′1 = m/s
4.Medium
1.5 kgv = ?20 gh = 7 cm

A 20 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 1.5 kg wooden block hanging on light strings, and stays inside it. The block swings up until it is 7 cm higher than at the start. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the bullet before impact.

m = 20 gM = 1.5 kgh = 7 cmg = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s
5.Hard
27 m/s16 m/s

A 0.15 kg ball hits a wall at 27 m/s and bounces straight back at 16 m/s. The contact lasts 5 ms. Find the magnitude of the impulse J the wall gives the ball.

m = 0.15 kgvin = 27 m/svout = 16 m/sΔt = 5 ms
J = N·s
6.Hard
1200 kgv1​ = ?1200 kg

A 1200 kg car runs into a parked 1200 kg car. The wrecks lock together and skid 12.5 m before stopping. The coefficient of kinetic friction between tyres and road is 0.6. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v1 of the first car just before the collision.

m1 = 1200 kgm2 = 1200 kgd = 12.5 mμ = 0.6g = 9.81 m/s²
v1 = m/s

Answer key

  1. 1. v = 7.333 m/s
  2. 2. V = 1.067 m/s
  3. 3. v′1 = −3.2 m/s
  4. 4. v = 89.07 m/s
  5. 5. J = 6.45 N·s
  6. 6. v1 = 24.26 m/s

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.