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
0.2 kgv = ?

A 0.2 kg ball at rest is kicked. The foot pushes it with an average force of 750 N for 10 ms. Find the speed v of the ball just after the kick.

m = 0.2 kgFavg = 750 NΔt = 10 ms
v = m/s
2.Easy
3.5 kg6.5 m/s1.5 kg

A 3.5 kg trolley moving at 6.5 m/s runs into a 1.5 kg trolley at rest. After the collision the first trolley continues in the same direction at 4 m/s. Find the velocity v′2 of the second trolley.

m1 = 3.5 kgv1 = 6.5 m/sm2 = 1.5 kgv′1 = 4 m/s
v′2 = m/s
3.Medium
3.5 kgv = ?20 gh = 4 cm

A 20 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 3.5 kg wooden block hanging on light strings, and stays inside it. The block swings up until it is 4 cm higher than at the start. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the bullet before impact.

m = 20 gM = 3.5 kgh = 4 cmg = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s
4.Medium
2000 kg9 m/s900 kg

A 2000 kg car moving at 9 m/s runs into a stationary 900 kg car and the two lock together. How much kinetic energy ΔK is lost in the collision?

m1 = 2000 kgv1 = 9 m/sm2 = 900 kgv2 = 0
ΔK = J
5.Hard
1 kgv = ?8 g20°L = 1.5 m

An 8 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 1 kg block hanging from light strings 1.5 m long, and stays in it. The strings swing out to a largest angle of 20° from the vertical. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the bullet before impact.

m = 8 gM = 1 kgL = 1.5 mθ = 20°g = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s
6.Hard
3.5 kgv = ?8 g40°L = 0.9 m

An 8 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 3.5 kg block hanging from light strings 0.9 m long, and stays in it. The strings swing out to a largest angle of 40° from the vertical. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the bullet before impact.

m = 8 gM = 3.5 kgL = 0.9 mθ = 40°g = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s

Answer key

  1. 1. v = 37.5 m/s
  2. 2. v′2 = 5.833 m/s
  3. 3. v = 155.9 m/s
  4. 4. ΔK = 25138 J
  5. 5. v = 167.9 m/s
  6. 6. v = 891.3 m/s

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