Understanding Energy & Momentum in Motion

In summary, the need for momentum and energy to describe motion is due to the conservation of momentum within a system and the potential for energy to change the total energy of the system. This is demonstrated in the example of a plane crash, where the energy of the system can be changed by the movement of the people inside the plane. Energy and momentum are also related to time and space, with energy generating time symmetry and momentum generating space symmetry. This is shown through the equation dV/dx = dp/dt, where the space derivative of potential energy is equal to the time derivative. Further insights and ideas on the relationship between energy, momentum, time, and space are still being explored.
  • #1
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Could someone give me some deeper insight why we need to have momentum and energy to describe motion? Kinetic energy is only the square root of momentum divided by two times the mass of the particle. Why the need for this extra entity energy?

I know that energy is a scalar and momentum is a vector, and that momentum generates space symmetry and energy generates time symmetry. But I would like to have some further insights why energy is connected to time and momentum to space.

And why dV/dx = dp/dt ?

Why is the space derivative of the (potential) energy equal to the time derivative?

Again, I would like to have some clever insights and deep-down ideas on how energy, momentum, time and space are related.

thank you
 
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  • #2
Hi,

Im very new to all this and have only just started to cover it in class but this might be helpful or it might be way to basic, haha

why we need to have momentum and energy to describe motion

Conservation of momentum inside a system doesn't have any bearing on the outside momentum (for example a plane flying along with people moving around inside) but the energy inside the system can change the total amount of energy that system has. So if the plane was to crash and everyone ran forward it would increase the energy the plane has on impact.

Hope this is more or less correct and helps. Also interested to hear feedback on it!
 

1. What is energy?

Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. It is a fundamental concept in physics and is described as the capacity of a system to perform actions and produce effects.

2. How is energy related to motion?

Energy and motion are closely related. In fact, energy is required to put an object in motion and to keep it moving. The kinetic energy of an object is directly proportional to its mass and the square of its velocity.

3. What is momentum?

Momentum is a measure of the quantity of motion that an object possesses. It is calculated by multiplying an object's mass by its velocity. An object with more momentum will be harder to stop or change its direction.

4. How is momentum conserved in a closed system?

In a closed system, the total momentum remains constant. This means that the total momentum before and after a collision or interaction between objects will be the same. This is known as the law of conservation of momentum.

5. What factors affect the energy and momentum of an object in motion?

The energy and momentum of an object in motion can be affected by factors such as its mass, velocity, and any external forces acting on it. Changes in these factors can result in changes in the object's energy and momentum.

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