GCSE Physics: Momentum and Collisions
This lesson introduces Year 11 students to the concept of momentum, the principle of conservation of momentum, and the relationship between force and change in momentum. It aligns with the AQA, Edexcel, and OCR specifications for GCSE Physics.
Learning objectives
- Recall and apply the equation momentum = mass x velocity.
- Explain the principle of conservation of momentum in collisions and explosions.
- Calculate the change in momentum and relate it to force (F = mΔv / t).
- Use vector notation to represent momentum in opposite directions.
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 5 min
Do Now: Students calculate the product of various mass and velocity values to prime them for the formula.
Teaching · 15 min
Direct Instruction: Use the Explainer Script to define momentum and demonstrate the worked example on the board.
Guided Practice · 10 min
Guided Practice: Solve one momentum problem and one conservation problem as a class using the 'I do, We do, You do' method.
Independent Practice · 20 min
Independent Practice: Students work through differentiated worksheets (Support, Core, or Stretch).
Review · 10 min
Plenary Quiz: 8-question multiple-choice quiz to check understanding.
Key vocabulary
- Momentum
- The product of an object's mass and its velocity.
- Vector
- A quantity that has both magnitude (size) and direction.
- Conservation of Momentum
- A rule stating that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant.
- Interaction
- A collision where objects stick together or bounce off each other.
- Velocity
- The speed of something in a given direction.
Core worksheet (first questions)
- A 1500kg car travels at 2m/s. Calculate its momentum.
- Calculate the momentum of a 1.2 tonne (1200kg) car travelling at 20m/s.
- A 4kg bowling ball has a momentum of 60 kg m/s. Calculate its velocity.
- A toy car has a momentum of 10 kg m/s and a velocity of 20m/s. Calculate its mass.
Quiz (sample)
1. What are the standard units for momentum?
- A. N/kg
- B. kg m/s
- C. kg m/s²
- D. J/s
2. Calculate the momentum of a 20kg dog running at 4m/s.
- A. 20 kg m/s
- B. 80 kg m/s
- C. 500 kg m/s
- D. 5 kg m/s
3. Momentum is a vector quantity. This is because it depends on...
- A. Mass
- B. Speed
- C. Velocity
- D. Energy
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