oh man... i totally messed up there, thank you so much for the correction! m2 will then = 9012jbriggs444 said:What do you get when you subtract one thousand from ten thousand?
Conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant. In the case of a spaceship, this means that the total momentum of the spaceship and any objects it launches or interacts with will remain constant unless acted upon by an external force.
Conservation of momentum affects the motion of a spaceship by causing it to accelerate in the opposite direction of any object it ejects, such as fuel or a satellite, in order to maintain a constant total momentum. This is how rockets are able to propel themselves forward in space.
No, conservation of momentum is a fundamental law of physics and cannot be violated. In space, where there is no friction or other external forces, momentum is always conserved.
Spacecraft designers must take into account the principles of conservation of momentum when designing the propulsion systems and overall structure of the spacecraft. For example, the placement of thrusters and the amount of fuel carried must be carefully calculated to ensure the spacecraft can maintain a stable trajectory and conserve momentum.
Conservation of momentum is closely related to Newton's laws of motion, particularly the third law which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It is also related to the law of conservation of energy, as momentum and energy are closely linked in the context of motion.