Key term
CCEA A-Level Physics 1210
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors
Moments and Equilibrium
Linear Motion and Dynamics
Newton's Laws of Motion
Linear Momentum and Impulse
Work, Energy and Power
Current, Charge and Potential Difference
Resistance and Resistivity
Topic overviewResistance and Ohm's lawOhmic and non-ohmic behaviourResistors in series and in parallelInvestigating current, voltage and resistance in series and parallel circuitsElectrical power and energy in resistive circuitsResistivity and the equation R = ρl/AMeasuring the resistivity of a metalCurrent–voltage characteristics of a conductor, a lamp and a diodeResistance, temperature and superconductivity
Internal Resistance and Potential Dividers
Topic overviewInternal resistance and terminal potential differenceConsequences of internal resistance for external circuitsMeasuring electromotive force and internal resistanceThe potential divider and variable outputPotential dividers in lighting and heating control circuitsLoaded potential dividers and output voltage calculations
Waves
Refraction
Lenses
Superposition, Interference and Diffraction
Topic overviewSuperposition of wavesStanding waves, nodes and antinodesStanding waves on stretched stringsStanding waves in a pipe closed at one endMeasuring the speed of sound with a resonance tubeConditions for observable interferencePath difference and phase differenceYoung's double slitDiffraction at a single slitThe diffraction grating
Quantum Physics
Wave-Particle Duality
Astronomy
Practical Skills and Data Analysis
Topic overviewChoosing and using measuring instrumentsPrecision, accuracy and recording measurementsUsing the cathode ray oscilloscope to measure voltage and frequencyTables, graphs and presenting resultsLinearising a relationship and using the gradientAbsolute and percentage uncertaintyCombining uncertainties and uncertainty on a graphRandom and systematic error, reliability and refining an experiment
Deformation of Solids
Thermal Physics
Topic overviewBoyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure lawThe ideal gas equation pV = nRTThe Avogadro constant, the mole and pV = NkTInternal energy and the distribution of molecular energyThe kinetic theory equation pV = ⅓Nm⟨c²⟩Average molecular kinetic energy and temperatureAbsolute zero and the kelvin scaleSpecific heat capacity and the electrical method
Uniform Circular Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Topic overviewDefining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²xDisplacement, velocity and acceleration: x = A cos ωtThe simple pendulum and T = 2π√(l/g)The loaded spiral spring and T = 2π√(m/k)SHM graphs and finding velocity from a gradientFree vibrations, forced vibrations and resonanceDamping: light, critical and over-damping
The Nucleus and Radioactive Decay
Topic overviewAlpha-particle scattering and the nuclear atomNuclear radius and nucleon numberThe density of nuclear matterAlpha, beta and gamma radiation: nature, penetration and rangeNuclear equations and changes in nucleon and proton numberThe random and exponential nature of radioactive decayActivity, the decay constant and A = −λNExponential decay calculations with A = A₀e^(−λt)Half-life and measuring it
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
Gravitational Fields
Electric Fields
Capacitors
Magnetic Fields
Charged Particles and Accelerators
Linear Momentum and Impulse
- 7 subtopics
- 21 things to know
- Unit AS 1
What Linear Momentum and Impulse covers
Linear Momentum and Impulse is examined in Unit AS 1, Forces, Energy and Electricity, and drawn on again in Unit AS 3, Practical Techniques and Data Analysis. It covers momentum and its calculation, conservation of linear momentum, collisions in one dimension, elastic and inelastic collisions, impulse and the impulse–momentum equation, Impacts and reducing the force of a collision and newton's second law in terms of momentum.
Where it is assessed
Unit AS 1
Forces, Energy and Electricity, and again in Unit AS 3, Practical Techniques and Data Analysis.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 7 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Momentum and its calculationEquation for momentum, defining each symbol and its unit and sign convention used when handling momentum along a straight line.Open →
- Conservation of linear momentumPrinciple of conservation of linear momentum, isolated system in the context of momentum and how a rocket accelerates in terms of conservation of momentum.Open →
- Collisions in one dimensionCollision in one dimension and steps used to solve a one-dimensional collision problem.Open →
- Elastic and inelastic collisionsElastic collision, which quantity is conserved in every collision, whatever its type and why almost all everyday collisions are inelastic.Open →
- Impulse and the impulse–momentum equationImpulse–momentum equation, defining each symbol and its unit, words what the impulse–momentum equation says and what the sign of an impulse tells you.Open →
- Impacts and reducing the force of a collisionHow the crumple zone of a car protects the occupants, how an airbag reduces injury in a collision and why fragile equipment is packed in foam before being transported.Open →
- Newton's second law in terms of momentumNewton's second law in terms of momentum and why a firefighter has to brace against a high-pressure hose.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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State the unit of momentum and show that it is equivalent to the newton second.
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Explain why a direction must always be given when quoting a momentum.
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Explain what conservation of momentum requires of the fragments of an object that explodes from rest.
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Describe how the conservation of linear momentum is verified in a collision using trolleys and light gates.
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Explain why the total momentum measured after a trolley collision is often slightly less than the total measured before.
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State the momentum equation for a one-dimensional collision between two bodies, defining each symbol.
Numbers
A 2.0 kg trolley travelling at 5.0 m s⁻¹ collides with a stationary 3.0 kg trolley and the two stick together. Calculate their common velocity.
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Define an inelastic collision.
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State which quantity is conserved in every collision, whatever its type.
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Explain why kinetic energy can be lost in a collision while momentum is still conserved.
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State the impulse–momentum equation, defining each symbol and its unit.
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Explain why the change in momentum in a crash is fixed while the force on the occupants is not.
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Explain how the crumple zone of a car protects the occupants.
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State the momentum form of Newton's second law as an equation, defining each symbol and its unit.
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Give an example of a situation in which the momentum form applies but F = ma does not.
Numbers
A rocket engine ejects 20 kg of exhaust gas each second at 500 m s⁻¹. Calculate the thrust produced.
Key term
State the unit of impulse and show that it is the same as the unit of momentum.
Process
Outline the steps used to solve a one-dimensional collision problem.
Key term
State in words what the impulse–momentum equation says.
Key term
State the relationship that explains why lengthening the time of an impact reduces the force on the bodies involved.
Take Linear Momentum and Impulse further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define momentum.
Model answer
Momentum is the product of the mass of a body and its velocity, and it is a vector quantity acting in the direction of the velocity.
- 2
State the equation for momentum, defining each symbol and its unit.
Model answer
Momentum is p = mv, where p is the momentum in kilogram metres per second (kg m s⁻¹), m is the mass in kilograms and v is the velocity in metres per second.
- 3
State the unit of momentum and show that it is equivalent to the newton second.
Model answer
The unit is kg m s⁻¹; since 1 N = 1 kg m s⁻², multiplying by a second gives 1 N s = 1 kg m s⁻¹, so the two units are the same.
- 4
Explain why a direction must always be given when quoting a momentum.
Model answer
Momentum is a vector, so two bodies of equal mass and speed travelling in opposite directions have momenta that cancel rather than add, and only the stated direction distinguishes them.
- 5
Explain the sign convention used when handling momentum along a straight line.
Model answer
One direction along the line is chosen as positive at the start, and any momentum directed the other way is entered into the calculation as a negative number.
- 6
A car of mass 1200 kg travels due east at 15 m s⁻¹. Calculate its momentum.
Model answer
Using p = mv, p = 1200 × 15 = 1.8 × 10⁴ kg m s⁻¹ directed due east; checking back, 18 000 ÷ 1200 = 15 m s⁻¹, which is the velocity given.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Linear Momentum and Impulse revision questions
- What does Linear Momentum and Impulse cover in CCEA A-Level Physics?
- 7 subtopics: momentum and its calculation, conservation of linear momentum, collisions in one dimension, elastic and inelastic collisions, impulse and the impulse–momentum equation, impacts and reducing the force of a collision and newton's second law in terms of momentum. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Linear Momentum and Impulse organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Linear Momentum and Impulse, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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