AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Flashcards: Linear Momentum
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 14 cards to help you master important concepts.
What two types of interactions is linear momentum particularly useful for analyzing?
Linear momentum is particularly useful for analyzing collisions and explosions.
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What two types of interactions is linear momentum particularly useful for analyzing?
Linear momentum is particularly useful for analyzing collisions and explosions.
What determines the direction of an object's linear momentum?
The direction of an object's linear momentum is the same as the direction of its velocity.
What is the equation for linear momentum?
The equation for linear momentum is $\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$.
In the context of momentum, define an 'explosion'.
An explosion is an interaction where internal forces within a system cause objects to move apart from each other.
Can an object have mass and velocity, but zero linear momentum?
No, if an object has both non-zero mass and non-zero velocity, it must have non-zero linear momentum.
What is the definition of linear momentum?
Linear momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, defined by the equation $\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$.
What is the key characteristic of the forces involved in a collision model?
The key characteristic is that the internal forces exerted between objects are significantly larger than any net external force on the system.
If an object's speed doubles while its mass stays the same, what happens to the magnitude of its momentum?
The magnitude of its momentum also doubles, because momentum is directly proportional to velocity.
What is the source and effect of forces in an explosion model?
The forces are internal to the system, and their effect is to move objects within that system apart.
What do the variables $\vec{p}$, m, and $\vec{v}$ represent in the linear momentum equation?
In the equation $\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$, $\vec{p}$ is the linear momentum vector, m is the mass, and $\vec{v}$ is the velocity vector.
In the context of momentum, define a 'collision'.
A collision is an interaction where the forces between the involved objects are much larger than the net external force on the system during the interaction.
What is the linear momentum of an object that is not moving?
The linear momentum of an object that is not moving is zero, because its velocity is zero.
If two objects have the same velocity, but one has twice the mass of the other, how do their momenta compare?
The object with twice the mass will have twice the linear momentum, as momentum is directly proportional to mass ($\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$).
Is linear momentum a scalar or a vector quantity?
Linear momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.