A physics student is investigating a test trolley colliding with a padded barrier at the end of a track.
During the collision, the trolley and the barrier can be modeled as a closed system. What is meant by a 'closed system'?
How does Newton’s Third Law of motion apply to the collision between the trolley and the barrier?
During the collision, the change in momentum of the trolley is 140 kg m/s140\text{ kg m/s}140 kg m/s. The time taken for the collision is 0.35 s0.35\text{ s}0.35 s. Calculate the average force on the trolley during the collision.
The barrier is covered with a soft foam pad. Explain how this foam pad reduces the risk of damage to the trolley during the collision.
Before the collision, the trolley moved with an initial constant velocity and then accelerated at 1.5 m/s21.5\text{ m/s}^21.5 m/s2. While accelerating, the trolley travelled a distance of 3.0 m3.0\text{ m}3.0 m. The final velocity of the trolley just before impact was 5.0 m/s5.0\text{ m/s}5.0 m/s. Calculate the initial constant velocity of the trolley.
6 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Physics 5.7 Momentum (HT only), covering 5.7.1 Momentum is a property of moving objects, 5.7.2 Conservation of momentum, and 5.7.3 Changes in momentum. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.