Standard #: SC.912.P.12.5


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Apply the law of conservation of linear momentum to interactions, such as collisions between objects.


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 912
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Standard: Motion -

A. Motion can be measured and described qualitatively and quantitatively. Net forces create a change in motion. When objects travel at speeds comparable to the speed of light, Einstein's special theory of relativity applies.

B. Momentum is conserved under well-defined conditions. A change in momentum occurs when a net force is applied to an object over a time interval.

C. The Law of Universal Gravitation states that gravitational forces act on all objects irrespective of their size and position.

D. Gases consist of great numbers of molecules moving in all directions. The behavior of gases can be modeled by the kinetic molecular theory.

E. Chemical reaction rates change with conditions under which they occur. Chemical equilibrium is a dynamic state in which forward and reverse processes occur at the same rates.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

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Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SC.912.P.12.In.3 Recognize various situations that show Newton’s third law of motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
SC.912.P.12.Su.3 Recognize the action and reaction in a situation that show Newton’s third law of motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
SC.912.P.12.Pa.3 Identify the source of the force moving an object.


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Conservation of Linear Momentum

This is an application based activity that allows students to question and explore the Conservation of Momentum and how it governs the natural world. It is designed for students who have a firm grasp on physical concepts of nature and mathematical derivations and manipulations. In this activity the teacher will use an Online Simulation titled "2D Elastic Collisions of Two Hard Spheres" to model idealistic elastic collisions and describe how mass and initial velocities can affect the post-collision momentum for each mass. The students will also be introduced to inelastic collisions and will compare these to elastic collisions. Students will fill out the attached lab worksheet and perform calculations based on manipulating the mathematical equation for Momentum Conservation.

To Be, or Not to Be...Conserved!

This is an inquiry based activity that encourages student engagement with relevant lab procedures and class discussions. It is designed for students to explore and discover relationships about the Conservation of Momentum through a meaningful lab and with the guidance of teacher led discussions. In this activity, students are able to visualize how momentum occurs and how variable masses affect the momentum and velocity of the carts.

The Physics of Pool The objective of this lesson is to illustrate how a common everyday experience (such as playing pool) can often provide a learning moment. In the example chosen, we use the game of pool to help explain some key concepts of physics. One of these concepts is the conservation of linear momentum since conservation laws play an extremely important role in many aspects of physics. The idea that a certain property of a system is maintained before and after something happens is quite central to many principles in physics and in the pool example, we concentrate on the conservation of linear momentum. The latter half of the video looks at angular momentum and friction, examining why certain objects roll, as opposed to slide. We do this by looking at how striking a ball with a cue stick at different locations produces different effects.

Though not required, students who have been exposed to some physics would benefit most from this video. In mathematically rigorous classes, students can concentrate on the details of vectors and conservation of linear momentum.

No materials are required for this lesson, and it can be completed easily within a class period.
Ramp It Up

Using inquiry techniques, students, working in groups, are asked to design and conduct experiments to test the Law of Conservation of Energy and the Law of Conservation of Momentum. Upon being provided with textbooks, rulers, measuring tapes, stopwatches, mini-storage containers, golf balls, marbles, rubber balls, steel balls, and pennies, they work cooperatively to implement and revise their hypotheses. With limited guidance from the teacher, students are able to visualize the relationships between mass, velocity, height, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and total energy as well as the relationships between mass, velocity, and momentum.

Momentum and the Law of Conservation of Momentum: A Student-Centered Lesson

This is a largely self-paced unit for students to learn the basics of Momentum as well as the Law of Conservation of Momentum. Students complete two investigative exercises (one hands-on, the other virtual). They then are directed to read a website (or a textbook could be substituted) and take notes with the teacher"s support as needed. After taking their own notes, students complete a worksheet to practice calculations involving the Law of Conservation of Momentum. At the end of the unit, students take a traditional summative assessment with True/False, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions along with a calculations section. Note that this lesson only covers the basics of linear momentum and does not include impulse or angular momentum.

How Mosquitoes Can Fly in the Rain In this lesson, we learn how insects can fly in the rain. The objective is to calculate the impact forces of raindrops on flying mosquitoes. Students will gain experience with using Newton's laws, gathering data from videos and graphs, and most importantly, the utility of making approximations. No calculus will be used in this lesson, but familiarity with torque and force balances is suggested. No calculators will be needed, but students should have pencil and paper to make estimations and, if possible, copies of the graphs provided with the lesson. Between lessons, students are recommended to discuss the assignments with their neighbors.

Student Center Activity

Name Description
Newtonian Mechanics: Momentum This web page provides an elementary introduction and overview of momentum and a discussion of recoil, conservation and energy. A lesson plan and related pages are also linked to this page. This is part of an extensive web site, "From Stargazers to Starships", that uses the topics of space exploration and space science to introduce topics in physics and astronomy. Translations in French, Italian and Spanish are available.

Teaching Idea

Name Description
The Impulse-Momentum Change Theorem This site provides instruction, teacher plans, student activities, and resources. It has multiple links and recommendations for expanding lessons.

Virtual Manipulatives

Name Description
Collision lab Learn more about collisions with the use of a virtual air hockey table. Investigate simple and complex collisions in one and two dimensions.Experiment with the number of discs, masses and initial conditions. Vary the elasticity and see how the total momentum and kinetic energy changes during collisions.

Some of the sample learning goals can be:
  • Draw "Before and After" pictures of collisions.
  • Construct momentum vector representations of "Before and After" collisions.
  • Apply law of conservation of momentum to solve problems with collisions.
  • Explain why energy is not conserved and varies in some collisions.
  • Determine the change in mechanical energy in collisions of varying "elasticity".
  • What does "elasticity" mean?
The Collision theory of Chemical Reaction

This virtual manipulative will help the students to understand that in order for a chemical reaction to take place the reactants must collide. The collision between the molecules must provide the amount of kinetic energy needed to break the molecular bonds and form new ones. Students can control the speed of the simulation to observe the collision and can also reset the initial energy settings to high or low to show that some chemical reactions will not occur in low energy (or low temperature) settings.

Newton's Cradle This virtual manipulative will demonstrate the conservation of momentum and energy via a series of spheres. Students will understand that when one sphere on the end is lifted and released, the resulting force travels through the line and pushes the last on upward.

Student Resources

Virtual Manipulative

Name Description
Collision lab: Learn more about collisions with the use of a virtual air hockey table. Investigate simple and complex collisions in one and two dimensions.Experiment with the number of discs, masses and initial conditions. Vary the elasticity and see how the total momentum and kinetic energy changes during collisions.

Some of the sample learning goals can be:
  • Draw "Before and After" pictures of collisions.
  • Construct momentum vector representations of "Before and After" collisions.
  • Apply law of conservation of momentum to solve problems with collisions.
  • Explain why energy is not conserved and varies in some collisions.
  • Determine the change in mechanical energy in collisions of varying "elasticity".
  • What does "elasticity" mean?


Parent Resources

Virtual Manipulatives

Name Description
Collision lab: Learn more about collisions with the use of a virtual air hockey table. Investigate simple and complex collisions in one and two dimensions.Experiment with the number of discs, masses and initial conditions. Vary the elasticity and see how the total momentum and kinetic energy changes during collisions.

Some of the sample learning goals can be:
  • Draw "Before and After" pictures of collisions.
  • Construct momentum vector representations of "Before and After" collisions.
  • Apply law of conservation of momentum to solve problems with collisions.
  • Explain why energy is not conserved and varies in some collisions.
  • Determine the change in mechanical energy in collisions of varying "elasticity".
  • What does "elasticity" mean?
The Collision theory of Chemical Reaction:

This virtual manipulative will help the students to understand that in order for a chemical reaction to take place the reactants must collide. The collision between the molecules must provide the amount of kinetic energy needed to break the molecular bonds and form new ones. Students can control the speed of the simulation to observe the collision and can also reset the initial energy settings to high or low to show that some chemical reactions will not occur in low energy (or low temperature) settings.



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