Momentum

Momentum can be described as "inertia in motion." It is a vector quantity and the unit of momentum is kg * m/s.

Since the cannonball has more momentum than the cannon itself the cannon gets pushed backwards as the ball goes forward.

Ex.
What is the momentum of a 1.0x10^3kg car moving at 15m/s[E]?
m=1.0x10^3kg
v=15m/s[E]
p=?
p=mv
p=(1.0x10^3kg)(15m/s[E])
p=15000kg*m/s[E]

Impulse is simply the change in momentum. When an object experiences a force that causes it to speed up or slow down there is impulse.

When a golf club is about to hit a ball, the ball initially has zero momentum. After contact, the ball has momentum in the same direction as the force, and it also depends on how long the force acted upon the ball.

Ex.

What velocity will a 40.0kg child sitting on a 40.0kg wagon aquire if pushed from rest by a force of 75N for 2.0s?

m=40.0kg+40.0kg=80.0kg

F=75N

(delta)t=2.0s

Vi=0

Vf=?

F(delta)t=mvf-mvi

Vf=F(delta)t/m

Vf=(75N)(2.0s)/80.0kg

Vf=1.9m/s