Linear Momentum: Conservation of Momentum

The definition of impulse is force over a time, so we have to do a simple calculation: J = FΔt = 10(2) = 20 Newton-seconds.

Recall that an impulse causes a change in linear momentum. Because the particle starts with zero velocity, it initially has a zero momentum. Thus:

Thus the ball has a final velocity of 10 m/s. This problem is the simplest form of the impulse-momentum theorem.

Recall that kinetic energy and momentum are related according to the following equations: K = mv ² and p = mv . Since v = p/m then K = . Solving for m we see that m = = = 2 kg . From our knowledge of energy and momentum we can state the mass of the ball from these two quantities. This method of finding the mass of a particle is commonly used in particle physics, when particles decay too quickly to be massed, but when their momentum and energy can be measured.

To find the change in momentum of the ball we must find first the velocity of the ball just before it hit the ground. To do so, we must rely on the conservation of mechanical energy. The ball was dropped from a height of 10 meters, and so had a potential energy of mgh = 10mg . This energy is converted completely to kinetic energy by the time the ball hits the floor. Thus: mv ² = 10mg . Solving for v, v = = 14 m/s. Thus the ball hits the ground with a velocity of 14 m/s.

The same argument can be made to find the speed with which the ball bounced back up. When the ball is at ground level, all of the energy of the system is kinetic energy. As the ball bounces back up, this energy gets converted to gravitational potential energy. If the ball reaches the same height it was dropped from, then, we can deduce that the ball leaves the ground with the same speed with which it hit the ground, though in a different direction. Thus the change in momentum, p _f - p _o = 14(2) - (- 14)(2) = 56 . The ball's momentum changes by 56 kg-m/s.

We are next asked to find the impulse provided by the floor. By the impulse-momentum theorem, a given impulse causes a change in momentum. Since we have already calculated our change in momentum, we already know our impulse. It is simply 56 kg-m/s.

Once the ball is thrown up, it is acted on by a constant force mg . This force causes a change in momentum until the ball has reversed directions, and lands with the velocity of 10 m/s. Thus we can calculate the total change in momentum: Δp = mv _f - mv _o = 2(10) - 2(- 10) = 40 . Now we turn to the impulse-momentum theorem to find the time of flight:

Thus:

The ball has a time of flight of 2 seconds. This calculation was much easier than the one we would have to do using kinematic equations, and exhibits nicely exactly how the impulse-momentum theorem works.