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
0.3 kgv = ?

A 0.3 kg ball at rest is kicked. The foot pushes it with an average force of 400 N for 12 ms. Find the speed v of the ball just after the kick.

m = 0.3 kgFavg = 400 NΔt = 12 ms
v = m/s
2.Easy
3 kg3.5 m/s4.5 kg

A 3 kg trolley moving at 3.5 m/s runs into a 4.5 kg trolley at rest. After the collision the first trolley continues in the same direction at 1 m/s. Find the velocity v′2 of the second trolley.

m1 = 3 kgv1 = 3.5 m/sm2 = 4.5 kgv′1 = 1 m/s
v′2 = m/s
3.Medium
4 kg48 m/s14 kgv′2​ = ?

An 18 kg projectile moving horizontally at 34 m/s explodes into two fragments that move along the same line. The 4 kg fragment continues forwards at 48 m/s. Find the velocity v′2 of the 14 kg fragment (positive in the original direction).

M = 18 kgu = 34 m/sm1 = 4 kgv′1 = 48 m/sm2 = 14 kg
v′2 = m/s
4.Medium
1 kgv = ?8 gh = 9 cm

An 8 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 1 kg wooden block hanging on light strings, and stays inside it. The block swings up until it is 9 cm higher than at the start. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the bullet before impact.

m = 8 gM = 1 kgh = 9 cmg = 9.81 m/s²
v = m/s
5.Hard
10 m/s10 m/s

A 0.1 kg ball hits a wall at 10 m/s and bounces straight back at 10 m/s. The contact lasts 25 ms. Find the average force Favg of the wall on the ball.

m = 0.1 kgvin = 10 m/svout = 10 m/sΔt = 25 ms
Favg = N
6.Hard
10 m/s15 m/s

A 0.5 kg ball hits a wall at 10 m/s and bounces straight back at 15 m/s. The contact lasts 50 ms. Find the magnitude of the impulse J the wall gives the ball.

m = 0.5 kgvin = 10 m/svout = 15 m/sΔt = 50 ms
J = N·s

Answer key

  1. 1. v = 16 m/s
  2. 2. v′2 = 1.667 m/s
  3. 3. v′2 = 30 m/s
  4. 4. v = 167.4 m/s
  5. 5. Favg = 80 N
  6. 6. J = 12.5 N·s

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