This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Momentum for GCSE Physics. Revise Momentum in Forces for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 10 of 12 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
🎯 Exam Focus
Frequently Examined
Momentum is examined on Edexcel 1PH0/1 (Paper 1, Higher tier — 1PH0/1H); momentum and impulse are Higher tier content on Edexcel. Expect multi-step collision calculations presented as scenarios ("Two trolleys collide on a track…") and questions linking conservation of momentum to Newton's Third Law. Question types include:
- Calculate momentum — p = mv, always include direction and unit (kg m/s)
- Collision calculations — find velocity after collision using conservation of momentum
- Explosion calculations — find velocity of one piece given the other
- Explain conservation of momentum — link to Newton's Third Law for 3+ marks
- Vector sign convention — correctly assign positive/negative to directions
Common calculation trap: In a head-on collision, one object moves in the negative direction — assign it a negative velocity BEFORE calculating. Missing the negative sign is the most common error in momentum questions.
Practice questions for Momentum
What is the equation for momentum?
Explain what is meant by saying momentum is a vector quantity.