Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can state the definition p = mv and give the unit of momentum. (Guide: “Momentum in everyday speech and in physics”)
- I can explain why momentum always points the same way as velocity. (Guide: “Momentum is a vector”; Practice Q1)
- I can explain how the physics meaning of momentum differs from its everyday meaning. (Guide: “Momentum in everyday speech and in physics”)
- I can describe what makes an interaction a collision, and what makes it an explosion. (Guide: “Collisions and explosions as models”; Practice Q6)
Calculation
- I can calculate the momentum of an object with a sign that matches my stated axis. (Guide: “Momentum is a vector”; Practice Q1)
- I can find the total momentum of a two-object system by adding signed momenta. (Guide: Worked example 1, Figure 1; Practice Q3)
- I can find the components, size and direction of a momentum in two dimensions. (Guide: “Momentum in two dimensions”; Practice Q4)
- I can predict the factor by which momentum changes when mass and speed change. (Guide: “Factors of change”; Practice Q2)
- I can sketch momentum against velocity and momentum against time, and label key values. (Guide: Figure 2; Practice Q5)
Reasoning
- I can compare momentum and kinetic energy for two objects and explain why they scale differently with speed. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q7)
- I can explain why an object that reverses or turns at the same speed has a different momentum. (Guide: “Momentum is a vector”; Practice Q4(c))
- I can justify why the object model is allowed when analysing a collision. (Guide: “Collisions and explosions as models”; Practice Q6)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 4.2, Change in Momentum and Impulse, or return to the course roadmap.