Momentum: past paper questions
Real questions on momentum
The newest 13 of 13 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q2c(i)[2]
Calculate the momentum of the aircraft at the maximum speed. momentum = kg m / s
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q1b[2]
The mass of trolley A = 0.80 kg. The mass of trolley B = 0.60 kg. Show that momentum is conserved in the collision.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q1c[2]
In another collision between the same trolleys, the rod and modelling clay are not present. Trolley A hits trolley B with the same initial speed. Explain why the force between the trolleys is larger in this collision.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q2a[2]
Calculate the momentum of the spacecraft. momentum = kg m / s
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(i)[3]
After the explosion, the speed of the front part increases to 9000 m / s. It has a mass of 150 kg. Calculate the speed of the rear part after the explosion. speed = m / s
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q2a(i)[1]
Define ‘momentum’.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q2a(ii)[1]
State the unit of momentum.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q2b[2]
Calculate the velocity v of the car and van after the collision. v = m / s
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q2c(i)[2]
Calculate the total kinetic energy of the car and van after the collision. kinetic energy = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q2c(ii)[1]
State the transfer of energy that occurs in the collision.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2023 · Q1c(i)[2]
Calculate the change in momentum of the car in this time. Give the unit of your answer momentum change = unit
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2021 · Q1b(i)[2]
Suggest one reason why the centre of mass is in this position.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2021 · Q1b(ii)[3]
There is a force exerted vertically downwards from the point P shown in Fig. 1.1. Calculate the maximum force that can be exerted vertically downwards at P without the bench rotating about the point Q shown in Fig. 1.1. maximum force =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Some candidates were not fully familiar with the topic of momentum but this question, which was a straightforward calculation using the defining equation for momentum, was very often well answered. The numbers in the question were large and some candidates lost track of the figure displayed on the calculator and supplied too many or too few zeros.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
This question proved more challenging and, although some candidates used a very clear approach and reached the correct final answer quite simply, there were other who were confused. One incorrect approach was to set the whole momentum of the spacecraft calculated in part (a) equal to the momentum of the rear part after the explosion.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)
A significant number of candidates could not define momentum or confused momentum with the moment of a force.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 5054/21 Q2(a)(i) (Cambridge)
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