4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse

Describe the impulse delivered to an object or system.

• The rate of change of momentum is equal to the net external force exerted on an object or system. Relevant equation:
• Impulse is defined as the product of the average force exerted on a system and the time interval during which that force is exerted on the system. Relevant equation:
• Impulse is a vector quantity and has the same direction as the net force exerted on the system.
• The impulse delivered to a system by a net external force is equal to the area under the curve of a graph of the net external force exerted on the system as a function of time.
• The net external force exerted on a system is equal to the slope of a graph of the momentum of the system as a function of time.

Describe the relationship between the impulse exerted on an object or a system and the change in momentum of the object or system.

• Change in momentum is the difference between a system’s final momentum and its initial momentum. Relevant equation:
• The impulse–momentum theorem relates the impulse exerted on a system and the system’s change in momentum. Relevant equation:
• Newton’s second law of motion is a direct result of the impulse–momentum theorem applied to systems with constant mass. Relevant equation BOUNDARY STATEMENT AP Physics 1 does not require students to quantitatively analyze systems in which the mass of the system changes with respect to time. AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Course and Exam Description Linear Momentum UNIT 4 TOPIC 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum | AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Course and Exam Description