how is momentum conserved?

Question

10 pts to best answer

Answer 1

Conservation of momentum means that when two object interact, their center of mass continues to travel at the same speed.

It can be represented as mv1 + mv2 = m'v'1' + m'v'2'

It is also called inertia. And is related to one of Newton's laws "An object in motion tends to stay in motion"

It has NOTHING to do with the conservation of Energy. Energy may not be conserved in a reaction (it changes to heat), but momentum will be.

Answer 2

The law of conservation of momentum is a fundamental law of nature, and it states that the total momentum of a closed system of objects (which has no interactions with external agents) is constant. One of the consequences of this is that the centre of mass of any system of objects will always continue with the same velocity unless acted on by a force outside the system.

Conservation of momentum is a mathematical consequence of the homogeneity (shift symmetry) of space (position in space is canonical conjugate quantity to momentum). So, momentum conservation can be philosophically stated as "nothing depends on location per se".

In an isolated system (one where external forces are absent) the total momentum will be constant: this is implied by Newton's first law of motion. Newton's third law of motion, the law of reciprocal actions, which dictates that the forces acting between systems are equal in magnitude, but opposite in sign, is due to the conservation of momentum.

Answer 3

Its kind of a general question, but its conserved through its transfer to its surroundings. For example, if you hit a cue ball into another ball, some of the momentum is transfered as friction into the table and air, creating heat and slowing the ball down (eventually). Most of the momentum will be transfered into the other ball, causing it to move. If you add up all the kinetic energy lost as friction, as well as record the initial mass and velocity of the other ball, you will arrive at the same momentum as you initially imparted on the cue ball. Elastic collisions, as seen in atomic and subatomic collisions, are simpler. Momentum is never lost to friction in these cases, and molecules will travel at a constant velocity unless they hit other molecules. Depending on the angles and masses involved, some or all of the momentum will be transfered from one molecule to another, causing changes in their velocities. However, the total momentum of the system (ie the mass x velocity of every molecule involved) will remain constant forever.

Answer 4

change in P is Kenetic Energy ... and we know Energy is Conserved ! lol

Answer 5

f=ma