Impulse of a force - effect on linear and angular momentum

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The discussion centers on understanding the relationship between impulse of a force and changes in linear and angular momentum during a collision. The principles of conservation state that total linear and angular momentum before a collision equals that after. The correct interpretation is that the sum of impulse plus initial linear momentum equals final linear momentum, and the sum of torque from impulse plus initial angular momentum equals final angular momentum. Impulse is defined as the integral of force over time, equating to the change in momentum. This clarification helps in grasping the concepts of momentum in collisions.
Froskoy
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Hi,

I'm having trouble understanding what the relation is between the impulse of a force during a collision and the changes in linear and angular momentum during the collision.

I know that the principle of conservation of linear momentum says that the total linear momentum before is equal to the total linear momentum after and the principle of conservation of angular momentum states that the total angular momentum before is equal to the total angular momentum after, but am struggling with the interpretation of this.

Do these principles mean that

1) the sum of the impulse + linear momentum before + angular momentum before = linear momentum before + angular momentum after

OR

2) (the sum of impulse + linear momentum before = linear momentum after) AND ALSO (the sum of impulse + angular momentum before = angular momentum after)?

With very many thanks,

Froskoy.
 
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Hi Froskoy! :smile:

Linear momentum and angular momentum can't be added.

(for a start, linear momentum is a vector, but angular momentum is a pseudovector!)

it's 3) … (the sum of impulse + linear momentum before = linear momentum after) AND ALSO (the sum of torque (or moment) of impulse + angular momentum before = angular momentum after) :wink:
 
There is no substitute for a good Physics text. Following from Halliday - Resnick
p2 - p1 = integral 1>2 dp = integral 1>2 Force dt = Impulse

The integral of force over the time interval during which force acts is called the
impulse of the force and is equal to the change in momentum. Both the impulse
and linear momentum are vectors and have same units and dimensions.
And is area under force time curve.
integral t1>t2 Force dt
 
Thanks very much! It all makes a lot more sense now!
 
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