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AP Physics C: Mechanics 4.1 Linear Momentum Questions

Analyse object and system linear momentum through mass, velocity, vector direction and addition, physical units, and before-and-after momentum representations.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2024
Course
AP Physics C: Mechanics

Exam points

  • calculate momentum magnitude and direction from an object's mass and velocity
  • sum momentum vectors to describe a multi-object system in one or more dimensions
  • interpret momentum units, vector diagrams, and momentum-time representations

Covered syllabus points

4.1.A—Describe the linear momentum of an object or system

Question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Two blocks, 1 and 2, slide toward each other on a horizontal surface. Block 1 has mass m and slides in the +x-direction with constant speed 2v02 v_{0}. Block 2 has mass 6 m and slides in the -x-direction with constant speed v0v_{0}, as shown in Figure 1. The blocks then collide and stick together. The collision occurs from time t=0 to t=tct=t_{c}. After the collision, where t>tct>t_{c}, the blocks move together with the same constant speed.

Figure 1

Figure 1

The diagrams in Figure 2 can be used to represent the momentum of blocks 1 and 2 before and after the collision. The momentum vector diagram for Block 1 before the collision is shown.

Draw arrows on the grids to represent the momentum vectors of Block 2 before the collision and the two-block system before and after the collision.

- Arrows should start at the zero-momentum line.

- The length of the arrows should be proportional to the relative magnitudes of the vectors.

- Represent an arrow of zero length by drawing a dot at zero.

Figure 2

Figure 2

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