Salam Academy
Option · Module

Momentum and impulse

4 subtopics≈ 130 min in total
  1. Momentum and impulse

    Momentum is mass × velocity, so it has a direction. An impulse changes momentum: I=mv−mu=FtI=mv-mu=Ft. When two particles collide, the total momentum before equals the total after, as long as no external impulse acts.

    ≈ 35 min
  2. Momentum and its conservation

    Momentum is mass times velocity, and in any collision the total stays the same. One equation, "momentum before == momentum after", solves the whole topic.

    ≈ 30 min
  3. Coalescing and loss of kinetic energy

    When particles stick together they share one velocity, so conservation of momentum gives it directly. Momentum survives the crash; kinetic energy does not, and the difference has gone into heat, sound and crumpled metal.

    ≈ 30 min
  4. Directions, rebounds and several collisions

    Head-on collisions and rebounds are where signs matter. Fix a positive direction, give every velocity a sign, and let the algebra tell you which way things end up moving.

    ≈ 35 min
Edexcel 9FM0 Momentum and impulse — A Level Further Mathematics · Salam Academy