Conservation of momentum query

In summary, conservation of momentum cannot be used to find the initial velocity of a ball in this scenario due to the variable speeds of the air and the inability to accurately track its total momentum.
  • #1
volican
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I have a ball and the wind blows on it. Could I find the initial velocity of the ball from conservation of momentum?

m_air * v_air = m_ball * v_ball

v_ball = (m_air * v_air) / m_ball

What would you put for m_air?
 
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  • #2
The initial speed?
That can be anything, you cannot calculate it unless you know something about your system.

The final speed? You can find the speed where the ball is in a force equilibrium. The ball will approach this speed over time.
volican said:
Could I find the initial velocity of the ball from conservation of momentum?
No. The air won't all move at the same speed, and you cannot properly keep track of its total momentum.
 
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FAQ: Conservation of momentum query

1. What is conservation of momentum?

Conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant. This means that the total amount of momentum before an interaction or event is equal to the total amount of momentum after the interaction or event.

2. Why is conservation of momentum important?

Conservation of momentum is important because it helps us understand and predict the behavior of objects in motion. It allows us to make accurate calculations and predictions about the outcome of interactions between objects, such as collisions or explosions.

3. How is conservation of momentum related to Newton's third law of motion?

Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Conservation of momentum is related to this law because when two objects interact, the change in momentum of one object is always equal and opposite to the change in momentum of the other object.

4. Is conservation of momentum always true?

Yes, conservation of momentum is a universal law and is always true in isolated systems where no external forces are acting. In real-world situations, there may be some small external forces present, but they are typically negligible and do not significantly affect the overall conservation of momentum.

5. Can conservation of momentum be violated?

No, conservation of momentum is a fundamental law of physics and has been extensively tested and proven to hold true in all situations. If it appears to be violated, it is usually due to incomplete understanding or measurement errors rather than a true violation of the law.

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