Lesson 6.1.2

6.1.2 Conservation of momentum in two dimensions Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 6.1.2, Conservation of momentum in two dimensions: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 6: Further Mechanics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. In a 2D collision, vector momentum is conserved in how many directions?

    • Two perpendicular directions
    • Three spatial axes
    • One single direction
    • All radial directions

  2. What condition is required for total momentum of a system to be conserved?

    • Zero net external force
    • Zero total energy
    • Zero internal pressure
    • Constant kinetic energy

  3. What determines the direction of an object's linear momentum vector?

    • Velocity direction
    • Acceleration direction
    • Displacement direction
    • Force direction

  4. How should momentum be treated to solve two-dimensional collision problems?

    • Multiply by angle cosine
    • Add magnitudes directly
    • Convert to scalar values
    • Resolve into perpendicular components

  5. Two 0.50 kg balls collide. Ball A moves east at 3.0 m s^-1 and ball B is at rest. After the collision A moves at 2.0 m s^-1 at 30 degrees north of east and B moves south of east. What is the speed of B?

    • 2.5 m s^-1
    • 3.0 m s^-1
    • 1.0 m s^-1
    • 1.6 m s^-1

  6. A 2.0 kg object at rest explodes into a 0.5 kg piece moving north at 6.0 m s^-1 and a 1.5 kg piece. What is the velocity of the 1.5 kg piece?

    • 2.0 m s^-1 south
    • 6.0 m s^-1 south
    • 4.0 m s^-1 south
    • 2.0 m s^-1 north

  7. A 2.0 kg mass moving east at 3.0 m s^-1 joins a 1.0 kg mass moving north at 6.0 m s^-1. What is their final speed?

    • 3.0 m s^-1
    • 1.4 m s^-1
    • 2.8 m s^-1
    • 4.0 m s^-1

  8. A 0.40 kg ball moves at 5.0 m s^-1 at 60 degrees to the x-axis. What is the x-component of its momentum?

    • 1.0 kg m s^-1
    • 2.0 kg m s^-1
    • 3.5 kg m s^-1
    • 1.7 kg m s^-1

  9. A 1500 kg car moves north at 10 m s^-1 and a 1000 kg van moves east at 12 m s^-1. They collide and stick together. What is the speed of the wreckage immediately afterwards?

    • 2.5 m s^-1
    • 12 m s^-1
    • 5.0 m s^-1
    • 7.7 m s^-1

  10. A momentum vector has components 12 kN s east and 15 kN s north. What is its angle north of east?

    • 39 degrees
    • 45 degrees
    • 51 degrees
    • 60 degrees

  11. A 0.010 kg bullet travelling at 400 m s^-1 embeds itself in a 2.0 kg block initially at rest on a smooth surface. What is the speed of the block and bullet immediately afterwards?

    • 2.0 m s^-1
    • 400 m s^-1
    • 4.0 m s^-1
    • 0.20 m s^-1

  12. Two identical smooth spheres collide elastically in two dimensions. One is initially at rest and the collision is not head-on. What is the angle between their velocities after the collision?

    • 45 degrees
    • 90 degrees
    • 60 degrees
    • 180 degrees

  13. A stationary 3.0 kg object explodes into a 1.0 kg piece moving east at 6.0 m s^-1 and a second piece. What is the velocity of the second piece?

    • 2.0 m s^-1 west
    • 3.0 m s^-1 west
    • 6.0 m s^-1 west
    • 6.0 m s^-1 east

  14. A 0.20 kg ball moves east at 5.0 m s^-1 and collides with a 0.30 kg ball moving north at 4.0 m s^-1. They stick together. What is the speed of the combined mass?

    • 5.0 m s^-1
    • 3.1 m s^-1
    • 1.6 m s^-1
    • 4.4 m s^-1

  15. If an object has perpendicular momentum components of 1.0 kg m s^-1 east and 1.2 kg m s^-1 north, what is its angle north of east?

    • 45 degrees
    • 40 degrees
    • 50 degrees
    • 57 degrees

  16. Which type of collision is defined by the total kinetic energy being conserved?

    • Inelastic collision
    • Elastic collision
    • Plastic collision
    • Totally inelastic collision

  17. A 0.50 kg ball moving east at 4.0 m s^-1 hits a 1.0 kg ball at rest. The first ball leaves at 2.0 m s^-1 at 60 degrees to east, northwards. What is the speed of the 1.0 kg ball?

    • 1.0 m s^-1
    • 2.6 m s^-1
    • 2.0 m s^-1
    • 1.7 m s^-1

  18. A particle moves with velocity components +1.5 m s^-1 east and -0.87 m s^-1 north. What is its angle south of east?

    • 15 degrees
    • 30 degrees
    • 60 degrees
    • 45 degrees

  19. Two perfectly inelastic collisions involve equal masses m, moving at 3.0 m s^-1 each at right angles to one another. What is the speed of the combined mass?

    • 1.5 m s^-1
    • 2.1 m s^-1
    • 3.0 m s^-1
    • 4.2 m s^-1

  20. In any collision with no net external force, what mathematical quantity is always conserved?

    • Total mechanical power
    • Total kinetic energy
    • Total vector momentum
    • Total speed

All Pearson Edexcel Physics quizzes