A body of mass is initially moving with a constant speed along the positive –axis
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A body of mass m is initially moving with a constant speed v along the positive x–axis. An impulsive sideways force then deflects the body so that it moves with the same speed v along the positive y–axis while its magnitude of velocity remains unchanged.
Answer the following questions in a systematic manner.
(i) Define linear momentum and express it in vector form.
(ii) Write the initial and final momentum vectors of the body in component form along the x and y axes.
(iii) Explain, without performing any numerical calculation, whether the magnitude of the body’s momentum has changed as a result of the deflection.
(iv) Using a vector-subtraction diagram, describe qualitatively the change in momentum suffered by the body and state the direction of this change.