Momentum of a Car: What Happens When Stopping?

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SUMMARY

The momentum of a car is defined as its mass in motion, and when the car comes to a stop, its momentum becomes zero due to the cessation of velocity. In an isolated system, momentum is conserved; thus, the momentum lost by the car is transferred to the Earth. However, the Earth's significantly larger mass results in an imperceptible change in its rotation speed. This discussion clarifies that momentum is not conserved in practical terms for the car itself, as it transitions to a state of rest.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly momentum and forces.
  • Familiarity with Newton's laws of motion.
  • Knowledge of energy transfer mechanisms, such as friction and air resistance.
  • Basic comprehension of isolated systems in physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of momentum conservation in isolated systems.
  • Explore the effects of friction and air resistance on moving objects.
  • Learn about Newton's laws of motion and their applications in real-world scenarios.
  • Investigate the relationship between mass, velocity, and momentum in various contexts.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of motion and forces acting on vehicles.

mprm86
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What happens to the momentum of a car in movement when it stops?
 
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The car has forces acting on it to slow it down, they all do work on the car, and the energy is transferred through the air resistance and friction.

Momentum isn't conserved, if that's what your asking.
 
it should be 0 because the velocity becomes 0 when the car stops. (Momentum is mass in motion)
 
mprm86 said:
What happens to the momentum of a car in movement when it stops?
In an isolated system, momentum is conserved. The momentum of the car when it brakes to a stop, is transferred to the earth. But the Earth's mass is so much larger than the car's that the Earth's change in rotation speed is not measurable.
 

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