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.

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1.Easy
0.4 kgv = ?

A 0.4 kg ball at rest is kicked. The foot pushes it with an average force of 350 N for 10 ms. Find the speed v of the ball just after the kick.

m = 0.4 kgFavg = 350 NΔt = 10 ms
v = m/s
2.Easy
3 kg9 m/s5 kg

A 3 kg trolley moving at 9 m/s runs into a 5 kg trolley at rest. After the collision the first trolley is at rest. Find the velocity v′2 of the second trolley.

m1 = 3 kgv1 = 9 m/sm2 = 5 kgv′1 = 0 m/s
v′2 = m/s
3.Medium
2000 kg5 m/s1700 kg

A 2000 kg car moving at 5 m/s runs into a stationary 1700 kg car and the two lock together. How much kinetic energy ΔK is lost in the collision?

m1 = 2000 kgv1 = 5 m/sm2 = 1700 kgv2 = 0
ΔK = J
4.Medium
1.5 kgv = ?12 gh = 22 cm

A 12 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 22 cm higher than at the start. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the bullet before impact.

m = 12 gM = 1.5 kgh = 22 cmg = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s
5.Hard
2.5 kgv = ?8 g35°L = 1.4 m

An 8 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 2.5 kg block hanging from light strings 1.4 m long, and stays in it. The strings swing out to a largest angle of 35° from the vertical. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the bullet before impact.

m = 8 gM = 2.5 kgL = 1.4 mθ = 35°g = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s
6.Hard
23 m/s15 m/s

A 0.55 kg ball hits a wall at 23 m/s and bounces straight back at 15 m/s. The contact lasts 5 ms. Find the average force Favg of the wall on the ball.

m = 0.55 kgvin = 23 m/svout = 15 m/sΔt = 5 ms
Favg = N

Answer key

  1. 1. v = 8.75 m/s
  2. 2. v′2 = 5.4 m/s
  3. 3. ΔK = 11486 J
  4. 4. v = 261.8 m/s
  5. 5. v = 698.7 m/s
  6. 6. Favg = 4180 N

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