A 5.0 N force directed to the west acts on an object for 2.0 seconds. What is the change in momentum of the object?
Do I have to divide 5.0 by 2.0 in order to get the momentum or multiply?
No
if it acted for one second, the answer would be 5 N m West
for two seconds it is TWICE, not half.
F = rate of change of momentum
F = change in momentum / change in time
change of momentum = F * change in time
To calculate the change in momentum, you need to multiply the force by the time interval. In this case, the force acting on the object is 5.0 N and it acts for a duration of 2.0 seconds. Therefore, the change in momentum can be found by multiplying the force by the time:
Change in momentum = force × time
Change in momentum = 5.0 N × 2.0 s
Change in momentum = 10 Ns
So, the change in momentum of the object is 10 Ns.