Lesson 4 of 12 · Momentum

Experiment⭐ 30 XP

Impulse and the Force-Time Graph

🧪Lab Brief #4

Impulse and the Force-Time Graph.

🎯 Your mission

Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.

⚡ The twist

Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.

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Mind = Blown

🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.

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Make a hypothesis first

Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.

What You'll Learn

Impulse is force times the time it acts, and it equals the change in momentum: Ft = mΔv. Spread the same momentum change over a longer time and the force drops, which is exactly how crumple zones, airbags and crash mats save lives.

Key Words

Tap a word to see its definition.

Materials Needed

eggs
tray
towel
foam pad
metre rule

Safety First

Work over a washable surface and wash hands after handling raw egg.
Clean up shell and egg immediately to avoid slips and salmonella risk.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.

Step 2 — Do

Drop an egg from the same height onto a bare tray, then onto a folded towel, then onto a foam pad. Record which survive and use Ft = mΔv to explain why increasing contact time reduces the peak force.

Step 3 — Observe

Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.

Step 4 — Record

Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 2

Impulse is equal to:

How sure are you going to be?😐 maybe

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Where you see this in real life

This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.

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Stretch Challenge

Try this in real life this week.

Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.

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For the dinner table

“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”

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Next Smart Experiment

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