http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_mechanics/cub_mechanics_lesson03.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, mechanicscollisionelasticinelasticconservation of momentumlinear momentummomentumforcemassvelocityMomentumConservation of momentumElastic collisionInelastic collisionForce-momentum relationship

Students learn about the physical force of linear momentum — movement in a straight line — by investigating collisions. They learn an equation that engineers use to describe momentum. Students also investigate the psychological phenomenon of momentum; they see how the “big mo” of the bandwagon effect contributes to the development of fads and manias, and how modern technology and mass media accelerate and intensify the effect.

Whether it is a truck, a washing machine or a compact disk writer mechanism, engineers commonly design products that move, so momentum is an important part of their design considerations. Over the years, engineers have been successful in using their knowledge of the force-momentum relationship to make vehicles safer in collisions. For example, vehicle front ends are especially designed to crumple, as a protective measure to reduce the forces felt by the occupants. Car safety seats are also designed to protect small children from accident forces. Understand that linear momentum depends on both mass and velocity. Understand the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions. Appreciate why modern cars are safer in collisions than older ones. Understand how linear momentum can be described by an equation 50TeachEngineering.orgChris YakackiBen HeavnerMalinda Schaefer ZarskeDenise Carlsonhttp://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/elacol.htmlPytel and Kiusalaas. Engineering Mechanics Dynamics. Pacific Grove, CA: Brookes/Cole Publishing Company, 1999.S11416DDInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyF. Knowledge gained from other fields of study has a direct effect on the development of technological products and systems.68S11424D3ColoradoScienceb. Use mathematical expressions to describe the movement of an object 88S11425C1ColoradoSciencef. Recognize that mathematical models are used to predict orbital paths and events88S1142658ColoradoMatha. Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers including integers, positive and negative fractions and decimals 88S11426CFColoradoMathb. Use representations of linear functions to analyze situations and solve problems 88United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2010-08-238Teacher