Quantcast kinetic theory of gases momentum Text - Physics Forums Library

PDA

View Full Version : kinetic theory of gases momentum


lukasz08
Oct3-08, 08:25 PM
p=momentum=(mass*volume)

delta px = pf - pi
mvf - mvi
mvx - (-mvx) <<<<---- where does this second negative come from ? what am i missing here?
2mvx


in my book it shows that
delta px = - mvx - (mvx) = -2mvx

Doc Al
Oct3-08, 08:34 PM
When a particle bounces elastically off a wall, its velocity (and momentum) changes direction. Does that help?

lukasz08
Oct3-08, 08:57 PM
yes i understand that so the second negative appears after the particle has hit the wall resulting in the 2mvx ?

lukasz08
Oct3-08, 09:01 PM
ok i got it mvi = -mvf therefore -mvi - mvf = -2mvx