Unit A
1. Unit A
Unit A Introduction
In Unit A you will investigate the conservation of momentum when objects interact. This will include the concept of impulse and looking at the transfer of kinetic energy in collisions. This unit builds on your work from Physics 20: vector addition skills; the principle of uniformly accelerated motion (unbalanced forces); and the principle of conservation of energy, which is an overall theme for Physics 20 and 30. This unit will prepare you for further study of mechanics in subsequent units and for post secondary studies in physics.
Module 1 will define momentum and examine how it was derived from Newton’s laws of motion that you studied in Physics 20. Also, you will investigate the relationship between momentum and impulse, and how the two can be used to make vehicular safety devices more effective. This will lead you to the module assessment to analyze a crash test and the forces acting on crash test dummies.
Module 2 will expand upon momentum by proving the law of conservation of momentum and how it can be applied in one and two dimensions. You will conduct this proof by using vector addition and computer simulations. In keeping with the conservation laws you will use your knowledge of the law of conservation of energy from Physics 20 to examine the energy transfer in collisions by examining whether collisions are elastic or inelastic. This will lead into the module assessment to analyze a traffic accident.
Unit A is based on the physics principle of the conservation of momentum. Although it initially sounds very simple, there are many details and aspects that can cause problems. To support your understanding you will answer questions and do activities that examine common misconceptions and help expand your understanding and ability to apply the principle of conservation of momentum.
Specifically, at the end of the unit, you will be able to
- describe the characteristics of an object that affect its momentum
- describe the relationship between momentum and impulse
- demonstrate that momentum is conserved in elastic and inelastic collisions for both one dimensional and two dimensional interactions
- demonstrate that kinetic energy is not conserved for inelastic collisions and is conserved for elastic collisions
- analyze kinetic energy to compare and discriminate between collisions in isolated and non-isolated systems