Conservation of Momentum

Key Questions

  • Question #b4da9

    The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that for a closed system, the total momentum is constant.

    [Closed system is one which does not exchange matter with external surroundings, and where no external force acts on the system.]

    Considering a two particle system with particles of masses m_1 and m_2 moving with initial velocities (before colliding) u_1 and u_2 and final velocities v_1 and v_2 respectively.

    Summarising it:

    **Masses -- Initial Velocities -- Final Velocities **
    m_1 ---- u_1 ---- v_1
    m_2 ---- u_2 ---- v_2

    Then, by law of conservation of momentum,
    m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2

    This will hold true for a multiple particle system as well.

    Tanish J. · 1 · Oct 26 2014
  • What is the law of conservation of momentum?

    Answer:

    m_1u_1+m_2u_2=m_1v_1+m_2v_2

    Explanation:

    if two elastic balls collide horizontally (no other forces affecting at that direction) then the momentum is conserved between them
    so if one ball loses speed the other ball will gain speed so the above relation is applied

    Example:

    enter image source here

    as in this examples even though the first ball stopped, its momentum was transmitted to the other ball.

    color(green)("Note:") the above relation is direction dependant so you suppose one direction to be positive so velocities on that direction is positive while the velocities on the other direction is negative

    I hope this helps.

    Yahia M. · 1 · Jul 1 2018

Questions

Momentum and Collisions