Inertia and conservation of momentum

[Mt. Nixion]

How are inertia (Newton's first law) and the law of conservation of linear momentum related? Also, how does Newton's first law for rotation (rotational inertia or moment of inertia) related to the law of conservation of angular momentum?

 

[Astronuc]

Refer to this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton's_Laws

Disclaimer: Wikipedia is not 100% accurate or verified. One must use the information with caution.

 

[charng]

Inertia and conservation of momentum are two fundamental principles in physics that describe the behavior of objects in motion. Inertia, as described by Newton's first law, states that an object will remain at rest or in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. This means that objects have a natural tendency to resist changes in their state of motion.

The law of conservation of linear momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by an external force. This means that in a closed system, the total momentum before a collision or interaction is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This principle is closely related to Newton's first law of inertia, as the resistance to changes in motion (inertia) is what allows for the conservation of momentum.

Similarly, Newton's first law for rotation, also known as rotational inertia or moment of inertia, states that an object will maintain its rotational motion unless acted upon by an external torque. This is analogous to Newton's first law for linear motion, as it describes the tendency of rotating objects to resist changes in their rotation.

The law of conservation of angular momentum states that the total angular momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by an external torque. This principle is related to Newton's first law for rotation, as the rotational inertia of an object determines its resistance to changes in rotation, and thus affects the conservation of angular momentum.

In summary, both inertia and the conservation of momentum are fundamental principles that govern the behavior of objects in motion, whether it is linear or rotational. They are closely related and work together to explain the motion of objects in the physical world.