AP Physics 1 4.2: Change in Momentum and Impulse

Connect force, interaction time, impulse, and change in momentum to analyze how an interaction changes a system’s motion.

[Maximum number: 3]

(12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)
A student hangs a spring of unknown spring constant k vertically by attaching one end to a stand, as shown in Figure 1. The other end of the spring has a small loop from which small cylinders can be hung. In addition to the spring, the student has access only to a variety of cylinders of unknown masses, a stopwatch, and a digital scale.

(a)

Using the data in the force-time graph, estimate the change in momentum of the cart from $t=0.5 \mathrm{~s}$ to $t=2.5 \mathrm{~s}$ . Briefly explain how you arrived at your estimation.

[ 2 ]

(b)

Do the data from the velocity-time graph confirm your estimation from part (c)(ii) ? Briefly explain.

Figure 1

[ 1 ]

(iii) For an explanation that compares the estimated value of the change in momentum from 1 point (c)(ii) to the data from the velocity-time graph

Example Response
The velocity-time graph shows that velocity is $0.3 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$ at both 0.5 s and 2.5 s, and momentum is mass times velocity, so the momentum is the same at both times. This agrees with my estimation from part (c)(ii) that the change in momentum is zero. for question 212 points

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AP Physics 1 4.2: Change in Momentum and Impulse

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4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)