Impulse Worksheet Answer Key for Physics Students

Understanding Impulse in Physics

Impulse is a fundamental concept in physics that helps us understand how forces affect the motion of objects. In this post, we will delve into the world of impulse, exploring its definition, formula, and applications. We will also provide an impulse worksheet answer key to help physics students master this essential topic.

What is Impulse?

Impulse is defined as the change in momentum of an object over a given time period. It is a measure of the effect of a force on an object’s motion. The impulse-momentum theorem states that the impulse of a force is equal to the change in momentum of the object to which the force is applied.

Impulse Formula

The impulse formula is:

J = F × Δt

Where:

• J is the impulse
• F is the average force applied
• Δt is the time over which the force is applied

Types of Impulse

There are two types of impulse:

• AVERAGE IMPULSE: This is the average force applied over a given time period.
• INSTANTANEOUS IMPULSE: This is the force applied at a specific instant in time.

Applications of Impulse

Impulse has numerous applications in physics, including:

• Projectile Motion: Impulse is used to calculate the range and maximum height of projectiles.
• Collision Problems: Impulse is used to determine the outcome of collisions between objects.
• Rocket Propulsion: Impulse is used to calculate the thrust of a rocket.

Impulse Worksheet Answer Key

Here is a sample impulse worksheet with answers:

Question 1

A 50 N force is applied to a 20 kg object for 0.5 s. What is the impulse of the force?

• Answer: J = F × Δt = 50 N × 0.5 s = 25 N·s

Question 2

A 100 kg object is moving at 20 m/s. If a force of 500 N is applied to the object for 0.2 s, what is the final velocity of the object?

• Answer: First, calculate the impulse: J = F × Δt = 500 N × 0.2 s = 100 N·s. Then, use the impulse-momentum theorem to find the final velocity: m × Δv = J, where m is the mass and Δv is the change in velocity. Rearranging, we get Δv = J / m = 100 N·s / 100 kg = 1 m/s. Finally, add the change in velocity to the initial velocity to get the final velocity: v_f = v_i + Δv = 20 m/s + 1 m/s = 21 m/s.

Question 3

A golf ball is hit with a force of 1000 N for 0.01 s. If the mass of the golf ball is 0.05 kg, what is the impulse of the force?

• Answer: J = F × Δt = 1000 N × 0.01 s = 10 N·s

📝 Note: These questions are meant to be a sample and may not be comprehensive. Students should practice with a variety of problems to master the concept of impulse.

In conclusion, impulse is a vital concept in physics that helps us understand the effect of forces on an object’s motion. By mastering the impulse formula and understanding its applications, physics students can solve a wide range of problems and develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.

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