A 5 kg ball rolls down a hill at a velocity of 1.5 m/s. By the time it reaches the bottom of the hill, it is traveling with a velocity of 2 m/s. What is the change in the ball's momentum?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The equation for momentum is p = mv. Since the mass of an object remains the same, only its velocity is changed. Thus, the formula for change in momentum is written as Δp = mΔv. The symbol Δ is called "delta" and is used to represent a change in the magnitude (number). In this case, we are using it to represent the change in velocity.
Δp = mΔv
Δp = (5 kg) (2 m/s - 1.5 m/s)
Δp = (5 kg)(0.5 m/s)
Δp = 2.5 kg m/s

A 5 Kg Ball Rolls Down a Hill at a Velocity