If the masses of the two objects are equal, then their post-explosion velocity will be equal in magnitude (assuming the system is initially at rest). If the masses of the two objects are unequal, then they will be set in motion by the explosion with different speeds. Yet even if the masses of the two objects are different, the momentum change of the two objects (mass • velocity change) will be equal in magnitude.
What I am confused about is...in an "explosion" of two carts, if the masses are unequal, is momentum still conserved? How so?
2007-02-06 09:29:26 · 5 answers · asked by Jane A 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The 2 objects forms a system. So the explosion is regarded as an INTERNAL action/reaction. What this means is that before the explosion, the system's momentum is ZERO. Since no EXTERNAL force is involved, the momentum AFTER is also ZERO. The explosion forces acting on masses 1 & 2 form an action/reaction pair imparting a momentum change (velocity change) on each mass from zero to V1 and V2. The two masses go off in opposite direction, each with a momentum P = m*v. So M1V1 + M2V2 = 0
As far as M1 is concerned, an external force acts on it. As far as M2 is concerned, an equal and opposite force acts on it as well.
2007-02-06 09:39:40 · answer #1 · answered by Sir Richard 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Regardless of if the masses are equal or unequal, they will still be set in motion by the explosion. If masses are equal speeds will be equal, if masses are different speeds will be different. Note they will be moving in opposite directions.
Note also, total momentum before explosion will total total momentum after the explosion. (this is conservation of momentum). If the objects were initially at rest, momentum before is zero, so total after will be zero. This is true because momentum equals mass times velocity.
calculate mass times velocity for each object. One is positive one is negative.
I hope this clears it up for you!
2007-02-06 17:49:11 · answer #2 · answered by sparbles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the force acting on each cart is equal, then momentum is conserved. The formula is momentum=mass*velocity.
Therefore, if the mass of cart #1 is higher then its velocity will be lower. If the mass of cart #2 is lower then its velocity will be higher. Mass and velocity are defined as inversely proportional by this equation. Therefore if mass increases, velocity decreases (and vice-versa), however, momentum remains constant.
2007-02-06 17:41:05 · answer #3 · answered by F. J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The heavier one will move one way at a slow speed, the lighter one will move the other way at a higher speed. Total momentum change will be zero.
2007-02-06 17:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
momentum will be the same no matter what speeds.
2007-02-06 17:37:40 · answer #5 · answered by poshbaby24 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋