Edexcel IGCSE Physics 1.27P conservation of momentum

Practise conservation of momentum by setting before-and-after equations, keeping directions clear and solving for missing values.

Exam points

State that total momentum before an event equals total momentum after it.
Set up before-and-after momentum equations for collisions, explosions or recoil.
Use signs or stated directions when calculating velocity or momentum after an event.

[Maximum number: 4]

This question is about momentum.

(a)

The diagram shows an object before and after an explosion.

The object breaks into two parts, P and Q .
The parts move away from each other in opposite directions.

Figure for Question (a) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

[ 4 ]

(i)

State what is meant by the principle of conservation of momentum.

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Calculate the magnitude of the velocity of part P after the explosion.

velocity = ............ m/s

[ 3 ]

Marking points:
- setting up equation using conservation of momentum
- rearrangement
- evaluation

Example:
$0=(1.9\times3.7)+(2.9v)$ $1.9\times3.7=2.9v$ $v=\frac{-7.03}{2.9}=-2.4\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}$

Final answer:
$|v|=2.4\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}$

Accept:
- $2.42\ldots\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}$

Marking guidance:
- Ignore the sign of the final answer.
- Correct evaluation of object Q's momentum, i.e. $-7.03\ \mathrm{kg\,m\,s^{-1}}$ , scores 1 mark if no other mark scored.

All question bank results loaded

1.27P Conservation of momentum question 1

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)