Impulse–momentum theorem Transitional Reasoning Practice
10 Physics practice questions on Impulse–momentum theorem. Questions that build towards applied reasoning.
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Questions
- 1.
A high-speed camera records a rubber ball of mass 0.20 kg striking a flat concrete floor with a downward velocity of 6.0 m/s and rebounding vertically upward at 4.0 m/s. The collision lasts for a time interval of 0.050 s, during which the downward gravitational force acts continuously on the ball. Taking the acceleration due to gravity as 10 m/s², what are the magnitude of the net impulse delivered to the ball and the average upward force exerted by the floor on the ball during the impact?
- 2.
A laboratory cart of mass 2.5 kg travels in a straight line along a frictionless horizontal track. An external horizontal force acting parallel to the motion is applied to the cart for 4.0 s, increasing its kinetic energy from 20 J to 180 J without reversing its direction. According to the impulse–momentum theorem, what are the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the cart and the magnitude of the applied horizontal force?
- 3.
During a flight safety trial, a light research aircraft of mass 800 kg touches down on a level runway at an initial forward speed of 50 m/s. A drogue parachute deploys for 4.0 s to assist the mechanical wheel brakes, which exert a steady retarding force of 2400 N throughout the rollout, decelerating the aircraft to 20 m/s. Assuming all resistive forces act horizontally along the line of motion, what are the magnitude of the total net impulse delivered to the aircraft and the magnitude of the average drag force exerted specifically by the drogue parachute during this 4.0 s interval?
- 4.
In a robotic sorting facility, an automated pneumatic guide redirects incoming packages across a smooth, horizontal sorting table. A package of mass 0.40 kg sliding due east at 3.0 m/s enters the guide, which applies a horizontal deflecting force over a time interval of 0.080 s so that it exits sliding due north at 4.0 m/s. According to the impulse–momentum theorem, what are the magnitude of the net impulse delivered to the package and the magnitude of the average net force exerted on it by the pneumatic guide?
- 5.
An engineering team evaluates two bumper prototypes for an autonomous testing cart of mass 50 kg traveling at 4.0 m/s along a straight track toward a rigid barrier. Prototype 1 brings the cart to a complete stop without rebounding over an interaction time of 0.20 s, whereas Prototype 2 causes the cart to rebound at 1.0 m/s in the opposite direction over an interaction time of 0.25 s. According to the impulse–momentum theorem, what is the magnitude of the net impulse delivered to the cart by Prototype 2, and how does the average net force exerted during Prototype 2 compare with that of Prototype 1?
- 6.
A 400 kg electric inspection cart moves along a straight, level track with an initial velocity of 5.0 m/s in the forward direction. An onboard braking system applies a constant backward force of 800 N for 1.5 s, immediately followed by an auxiliary thruster applying a constant forward force of 600 N for 3.0 s. Assuming resistive forces are negligible, what are the total net impulse delivered to the cart and its resulting final velocity according to the impulse–momentum theorem?
- 7.
An autonomous delivery drone with a mass of 1.5 kg descends vertically at a steady speed of 4.0 m/s. To initiate a climb, its flight controller commands the vertical rotors to deliver a constant upward thrust of 27 N for 1.5 s. Assuming the acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s and aerodynamic drag is negligible, what is the vertical velocity of the drone at the end of this 1.5 s interval according to the impulse–momentum theorem?
- 8.
An experimental propulsion system on a 600 kg deep-space probe is tested along a straight line in the absence of external forces. The thruster applies a forward force that increases uniformly from 0 N to 120 N over 10 s, stays constant at 120 N for 20 s, and decreases uniformly back to 0 N over 5.0 s. Based on the impulse–momentum theorem, what are the total impulse delivered to the probe and the resulting change in its speed?
- 9.
A goalkeeper catches a soccer ball of mass 0.45 kg that is traveling horizontally at 20 m/s. By drawing their hands inward during the catch, the goalkeeper extends the stopping duration from 0.030 s to 0.15 s to bring the ball completely to rest. According to the impulse–momentum theorem, what is the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the ball, and what is the average net force exerted to stop it during this 0.15 s cushioned catch?
- 10.
During a collision safety test, a motorized trolley equipped with a force sensor travels along a frictionless horizontal track with an initial velocity of 4.0 m/s in the positive direction. An arresting cable engages and delivers a net impulse of −18 N·s over an interaction time of 0.60 s, resulting in a rebound velocity of −2.0 m/s. Based on the impulse–momentum theorem, what are the mass of the trolley and the magnitude and direction of the average net force exerted on it during this interval?
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