GCSE Physics Momentum (Higher) questions by topic

Complete the sentences about momentum. (Higher)

1. (a)Momentum = mass × …[1]
2. (b)Momentum is measured in …[1]
3. (c)In a closed system, total momentum is …[1]
4. (d)A longer impact time means a … impact force.[1]

A 0.50 kg ball rolls at 8.0 m/s. (Higher)

1. (a)Calculate the ball’s momentum.[2]
2. (b)State what happens to the momentum if the ball rolls at the same speed in the opposite direction.[1]

Name the safety feature matching each description. (Higher)

1. (a)Crushes to extend the car’s stopping time.[1]
2. (b)Cushions the passenger’s head.[1]
3. (c)Stops the passenger leaving the seat and spreads the force.[1]

A 2.5 kg trolley moving at 4.0 m/s catches and sticks to a stationary 1.5 kg trolley. (Higher)

1. (a)Calculate the total momentum before.[2]
2. (b)Calculate their common speed after.[3]

A 70 kg runner at 8.0 m/s is tackled and brought to rest in 0.40 s. (Higher)

1. (a)Calculate the runner’s momentum before.[2]
2. (b)Calculate the average force applied.[2]
3. (c)The tackle had lasted only 0.10 s. Calculate the force then.[1]
4. (d)State the physics lesson of the comparison.[1]

Explain how each feature protects a car passenger in a frontal crash. (Higher)

1. (a)Crumple zone at the front.[2]
2. (b)Air bag.[2]
3. (c)Seat belt.[2]

A 1 200 kg car travelling at 15 m/s rear-ends a stationary 800 kg car; they lock bumpers and move off together. (Higher)

1. (a)Calculate the momentum before.[1]
2. (b)Calculate their common velocity after.[3]
3. (c)Explain why the moving car slows down even though no external force acts.[2]

A student claims: “Air bags work because they make the passenger stop more slowly, so they lose less momentum.”

1. (a)Identify what the student gets right.[2]
2. (b)Identify the error and correct it.[3]
3. (c)State one other feature that shares the same principle.[1]

A 900 kg car travelling right at 12 m/s collides with an 1 100 kg car travelling left at 8.0 m/s. They stick together. Take right as positive. (Higher)

1. (a)Calculate the total momentum before.[2]
2. (b)Calculate the velocity after.[3]
3. (c)State the direction of motion and how you know.[2]

A 45 kg diver jumps from a 5.0 m platform. Estimate the force the water exerts if she stops over 0.30 s after falling from rest (use g = 9.8 N/kg and v² = 2 g h).

1. (a)Calculate her speed entering the water.[2]
2. (b)Calculate her momentum change on stopping (ignore buoyancy during the stop).[2]
3. (c)Calculate the average stopping force.[2]
4. (d)Explain why a feet-first entry with legs flexing (longer stop) is safer than a flat “belly flop”.[2]

A 0.045 kg golf ball is hit from rest to 60 m/s by a club in contact for 0.0010 s. (Higher)

1. (a)Calculate the ball’s momentum after the strike.[1]
2. (b)Calculate the average force on the ball.[2]
3. (c)State the force on the club and the law that says so.[2]
4. (d)A mis-hit “soft” strike delivers a much smaller average force over the same contact time. Using F t = Δ(m v), explain why the ball then leaves more slowly.[2]

A car crash test: a 1 600 kg car at 16 m/s hits a rigid wall and stops in 0.25 s.

1. (a)Calculate the momentum change.[2]
2. (b)Calculate the average force on the car.[2]
3. (c)A crumple zone extends the stop to 0.60 s. Calculate the new force and the factor by which it falls.[3]
4. (d)Explain one trade-off of crumple zones for car design.[1]