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.