Momentum Practice Tests

These Grade 11 Science practice tests examine linear momentum, impulse, momentum conservation, elastic and inelastic collisions, recoil, center of mass, force-time graphs, and experimental data.

Skills covered

  • Calculating vector momentum from mass and velocity and tracking direction with signs
  • Applying impulse–momentum relationships and interpreting force-time graph areas
  • Solving isolated collisions, perfectly inelastic collisions, elastic collisions, recoil, and center-of-mass motion
  • Distinguishing momentum conservation from kinetic-energy conservation and identifying external impulse
  • Planning momentum experiments, evaluating calibration, uncertainty, repeated trials, graphs, and system boundaries

How to use these practice tests

Choose the system and positive direction first. Write initial and final momentum as vectors, check whether external impulse is negligible, and compare the units and direction of the result.

For more Grade 11 Science practice, return to the Grade 11 Science category.

2. Test

Grade 11 Momentum Practice Tests

Practice Grade 11 Science questions about linear momentum, impulse, momentum conservation, collisions, recoil, force-time graphs, and experimental analysis.

Choose the best answer. Define the system, assign directions, use vector momentum, account for external impulse, and check units.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

In an isolated collision, what is conserved?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Total momentum of the system.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: With negligible external impulse, vector total momentum before and after the collision is equal.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is Total momentum of the system.

With negligible external impulse, vector total momentum before and after the collision is equal.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a perfectly inelastic collision?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A collision in which objects stick together afterward.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: Momentum is conserved in an isolated perfectly inelastic collision, but kinetic energy is not conserved.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is A collision in which objects stick together afterward.

Momentum is conserved in an isolated perfectly inelastic collision, but kinetic energy is not conserved.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What is an elastic collision?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A collision in which total momentum and total kinetic energy are conserved.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: In an ideal elastic collision, both total momentum and total kinetic energy remain constant.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is A collision in which total momentum and total kinetic energy are conserved.

In an ideal elastic collision, both total momentum and total kinetic energy remain constant.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the coefficient of restitution related to?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The relative separation speed compared with the relative approach speed.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: The coefficient of restitution describes collision bounciness through relative speeds before and after impact.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is The relative separation speed compared with the relative approach speed.

The coefficient of restitution describes collision bounciness through relative speeds before and after impact.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A 2 kg cart moving at 4 m/s sticks to a 2 kg cart at rest. What is their final velocity?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is 2 m/s2\,\text{m/s} in the original direction.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: Conservation gives 2(4)+2(0)=(2+2)vf2(4)+2(0)=(2+2)v_f, so vf=2 m/sv_f=2\,\text{m/s}.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is 2 m/s2\,\text{m/s} in the original direction.

Conservation gives 2(4)+2(0)=(2+2)vf2(4)+2(0)=(2+2)v_f, so vf=2 m/sv_f=2\,\text{m/s}.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is kinetic energy often lost in an inelastic collision?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It is transformed into thermal energy, sound, deformation, or other internal energy.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: Total energy is conserved, but kinetic energy can transfer to internal and non-mechanical forms.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is It is transformed into thermal energy, sound, deformation, or other internal energy.

Total energy is conserved, but kinetic energy can transfer to internal and non-mechanical forms.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What is recoil?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The backward motion of an object when it gives forward momentum to another object.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: In an initially stationary isolated system, forward momentum of one object is balanced by backward momentum of the other.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is The backward motion of an object when it gives forward momentum to another object.

In an initially stationary isolated system, forward momentum of one object is balanced by backward momentum of the other.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A person throws a ball forward while standing on a frictionless skateboard. What happens to the skateboard?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is It moves backward to conserve total momentum.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: The throw gives the ball forward momentum, so the person and skateboard gain equal opposite momentum.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is It moves backward to conserve total momentum.

The throw gives the ball forward momentum, so the person and skateboard gain equal opposite momentum.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the center-of-mass velocity of an isolated system?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It remains constant when net external force is zero.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: Internal forces cannot change total momentum, so the center of mass moves at constant velocity without external net force.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is It remains constant when net external force is zero.

Internal forces cannot change total momentum, so the center of mass moves at constant velocity without external net force.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can two objects have equal and opposite momenta but different speeds?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Their masses can be different.

  1. Identify the momentum system: Determine the objects, directions, initial and final velocities, and whether external impulse is negligible.
  2. Apply the momentum relationship: Since p=mvp=mv, a heavier object can have smaller speed while matching the magnitude of a lighter object's momentum.
  3. Check signs and units: The correct answer is Their masses can be different.

Since p=mvp=mv, a heavier object can have smaller speed while matching the magnitude of a lighter object's momentum.