Explain "Momentum gives more information than velocity alone".

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Example $1$: If a pebble and a stone are thrown with the same velocity to hit a person,it is difficult to identify which causes more damage based solely on velocity. We can determine the impact force by studying the change in momentum $(p = mv)$. Velocity or mass individually are not sufficient to describe the effect of a collision.
By considering mass,we can conclude that the momentum of the stone is greater than that of the pebble; hence,the stone causes more damage.
Example $2$: Assume a car and a truck are stationary on a horizontal road. To accelerate them to the same velocity in the same time interval,the car requires less force,while the truck requires more force. Similarly,if they are moving at the same velocity,the car requires less retarding force to come to rest compared to the truck.
Thus,to determine the effect of force,momentum provides more comprehensive information than velocity alone.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The figure shows the position-time graph of a particle of mass $4 \,kg$. What is the
$(a)$ force on the particle for $t < 0$,$t > 4 \,s$,and $0 < t < 4 \,s$?
$(b)$ impulse at $t = 0$ and $t = 4 \,s$? (Consider one-dimensional motion only).

$A$ force acting on a body varies with time as shown below. If the initial momentum of the body is $\vec{p}$,then the time taken by the body to regain its momentum $\vec{p}$ again is ........... $s$.

Difficult
View Solution

$A$ ball of mass $3 \ kg$ strikes a wall at an angle of $60^\circ$ with a velocity of $10 \ m/s$ and rebounds at the same angle and speed. What is the change in momentum of the ball in $MKS$ units?

$A$ ball of mass $50 \,g$ is dropped from a height of $20 \,m$. $A$ boy on the ground hits the ball vertically upwards with a bat with an average force of $200 \,N$,so that it attains a vertical height of $45 \,m$. The time for which the ball remains in contact with the bat is ........... of a second. [Take $g = 10 \,m/s^2$]

$1000$ small balls,each weighing $1 \text{ g}$,strike $1 \text{ cm}^2$ of area per second with a velocity of $50 \text{ m/s}$ in a normal direction and rebound with the same velocity. The value of pressure on the surface will be:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo