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

A 1000 kg car moving at 15 m/s runs into a stationary 1700 kg car. The cars lock together. Find their common velocity v′ just after the collision (positive in the first car’s direction).

m₁ = 1000 kgv₁ = 15 m/sm₂ = 1700 kgv₂ = 0 m/s

v′ = m/s

2.Easy

A 0.4 kg ball at rest is kicked. The foot pushes it with an average force of 600 N for 4 ms. Find the speed v of the ball just after the kick.

m = 0.4 kgF_avg = 600 NΔt = 4 ms

v = m/s

3.Medium

A 5 kg glider moving at 9 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 = 5 kgm₂ = 3.5 kgv₁ = 9 m/sv₂ = 0

v′₁ = m/s

4.Medium

A 1800 kg car moving at 19 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 = 1800 kgv₁ = 19 m/sm₂ = 1700 kgv₂ = 0

ΔK = J

5.Hard

A 0.4 kg ball hits a wall at 18 m/s and bounces straight back at 12 m/s. The contact lasts 10 ms. Find the magnitude of the impulse J the wall gives the ball.

m = 0.4 kgv_in = 18 m/sv_out = 12 m/sΔt = 10 ms

J = N·s

6.Hard

A 0.4 kg ball hits a wall at 12 m/s and bounces straight back at 15 m/s. The contact lasts 10 ms. Find the average force F_avg of the wall on the ball.

m = 0.4 kgv_in = 12 m/sv_out = 15 m/sΔt = 10 ms

F_avg = N

Answer key

1. v′ = 5.556 m/s
2. v = 6 m/s
3. v′₁ = 1.588 m/s
4. ΔK = 157809 J
5. J = 12 N·s
6. F_avg = 1080 N

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