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
2000 kg23 m/s1100 kg

A 2000 kg car moving at 23 m/s runs into a stationary 1100 kg car. The cars lock together. Find their common velocity v′ just after the collision (positive in the first car’s direction).

m1 = 2000 kgv1 = 23 m/sm2 = 1100 kgv2 = 0 m/s
v′ = m/s
2.Easy
4 kg5.5 m/s5 kg

A 4 kg trolley moving at 5.5 m/s runs into a 5 kg trolley at rest. After the collision the first trolley continues in the same direction at 1.5 m/s. Find the velocity v′2 of the second trolley.

m1 = 4 kgv1 = 5.5 m/sm2 = 5 kgv′1 = 1.5 m/s
v′2 = m/s
3.Medium
1900 kg15 m/s1800 kg

A 1900 kg car moving at 15 m/s runs into a stationary 1800 kg car and the two lock together. How much kinetic energy ΔK is lost in the collision?

m1 = 1900 kgv1 = 15 m/sm2 = 1800 kgv2 = 0
ΔK = J
4.Medium
1000 kg8 m/s1400 kg

A 1000 kg car moving at 8 m/s runs into a stationary 1400 kg car and the two lock together. How much kinetic energy ΔK is lost in the collision?

m1 = 1000 kgv1 = 8 m/sm2 = 1400 kgv2 = 0
ΔK = J
5.Hard
1700 kgv1​ = ?1600 kg

A 1700 kg car runs into a parked 1600 kg car. The wrecks lock together and skid 22 m before stopping. The coefficient of kinetic friction between tyres and road is 0.8. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v1 of the first car just before the collision.

m1 = 1700 kgm2 = 1600 kgd = 22 mμ = 0.8g = 9.81 m/s²
v1 = m/s
6.Hard
21 m/s5 m/s

A 0.1 kg ball hits a wall at 21 m/s and bounces straight back at 5 m/s. The contact lasts 25 ms. Find the magnitude of the impulse J the wall gives the ball.

m = 0.1 kgvin = 21 m/svout = 5 m/sΔt = 25 ms
J = N·s

Answer key

  1. 1. v′ = 14.84 m/s
  2. 2. v′2 = 3.2 m/s
  3. 3. ΔK = 103986 J
  4. 4. ΔK = 18667 J
  5. 5. v1 = 36.07 m/s
  6. 6. J = 2.6 N·s

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