11.1.4 Momentum Bar Charts

The momentum principle tells us that impulse transfers momentum to an object. If an object moving along the x-axis has $2 kg m / s$ of momentum, a $1 kg m / s$ impulse delivered to the object increases its momentum to $3 kg m / s$ . That is, $p_{f x} = p_{i x} + J_{x}$ .

Just as we did with energy, we can represent this “momentum accounting” with a momentum bar chart. For example, the bar chart of FIGURE 11.6 represents the ball colliding with a wall in Figure 11.4. Momentum bar charts are a tool for visualizing an interaction.

The figure illustrates a momentum bar chart to highlight the event of an impulse that transfers momentum to an object.

FIGURE 11.6 Full Alternative Text

NOTE The vertical scale of a momentum bar chart has no numbers; it can be adjusted to match any problem. However, be sure that all bars in a given problem use a consistent scale.