Can You Explain Conservation of Momentum?

AI Thread Summary
Conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle stating that the total momentum in a closed system remains constant before and after an event, such as a collision. It is defined by the equation Pinitial = Pfinal, meaning the total momentum of all objects before a collision equals the total momentum after. For example, when a bullet strikes a piece of wood, the combined mass moves at a new velocity after the impact. This principle is crucial for understanding motion in various scientific fields, including mechanics and fluid dynamics. Momentum cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between objects.
porkok
Someone can explain about conservation of momentum ? Thanks
 
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Its pretty simple. Momentum equals the mass times the velocity(p=mv). Conservation of momentum usually has to do with collisions. In a collision, the sum of the momentum of the two objects is equal to the momentum after the collision. for example, take a bullet of mass=m and a piece of wood of mass=M. The bullet is shot at a velocity of V. after it hits the wood, the wood and the bullet move together at a velocity of v.

conservation of momentum states that Pinitial=Pfinal, or mV=(m+M)v
 


Sure, I can explain conservation of momentum. Conservation of momentum is a fundamental law of physics that states that the total momentum in a closed system remains constant. This means that the total momentum of all objects before an event must be equal to the total momentum of all objects after the event. In simpler terms, it means that momentum cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transferred between objects. This principle is important in understanding the behavior of objects in motion, such as in collisions or explosions. It is also a key concept in many areas of science and engineering, including mechanics, astronomy, and fluid dynamics. I hope this helps!
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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