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Science · Grade 11

Momentum and Interactions

Learners treat momentum as a vector, connect impulse to force–time graphs, and derive conservation of momentum from Newton's third law. They apply it to collisions, recoil and explosions, use kinetic energy to tell elastic from inelastic collisions, and finish by using impulse to evaluate and design devices that reduce collision forces, from crumple zones to helmet liners.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 120 minutes
  • Momentum and impulse check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, estimate, highlight a text, match pairs and type a number
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What learners will discover

  • Calculate momentum (p = mv) and changes in momentum as vectors, and use impulse (J = FΔt = Δp), including the area under a force–time graph.
  • Apply conservation of momentum to collisions, recoil and explosions in an isolated system in one dimension, and justify when a system can be treated as isolated.
  • Distinguish elastic, inelastic and explosive interactions by comparing total kinetic energy before and after, and explain where kinetic energy goes or comes from.
  • Use impulse reasoning to explain, evaluate and design devices that reduce the force on an object during a collision, stating criteria, constraints and trade-offs.

Lessons

  1. Momentum: mass in motion 9 steps5 practiceabout 20 min
  2. Impulse and force–time graphs 9 steps6 practiceabout 22 min
  3. Conservation of momentum 10 steps6 practiceabout 26 min
  4. Elastic and inelastic collisions 8 steps4 practiceabout 22 min
  5. Designing for safer collisions 8 steps6 practiceabout 25 min
  6. Momentum and impulse check 10 questions at the end

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Guide for grown-ups