Impulse and Momentum Problems

• Start with the equation $${\overrightarrow{p}}_f={\overrightarrow{p}}_i+\overrightarrow{J}$$ where $\overrightarrow{J}$ is the total impulse on the object.
• If you are given either momentum or impulse directly, then fill it into the equation.
• If not, use $\overrightarrow{p}=m\overrightarrow{v}$ and $\overrightarrow{J}=F_{avg}\mathrm{\Delta }t$.
• Fill in all the values that you are given, then solve for the value that you are asked for.
• If the problem is in two dimensions, you will have separate equations for horizontal and vertical components: think $$p_{fx}=p_{ix}+J_x\text{AND}{p}_{fy}=p_{iy}+J_y$$

• If you like, you can use a table like the one on the right. Note that mass $m$ and the duration $\mathrm{\Delta }t$ of the collision appear multiple times.