Exploring Momentum and Friction: Where Does the Energy Go?

In summary, when a heavy ball is rolling on a surface and eventually stops due to frictional force, the momentum of the ball is not lost. Instead, it causes the Earth to move a very small and unnoticeable amount, which is then canceled out by the initial movement of the Earth when the ball started rolling. Momentum is always conserved in any type of collision. While friction may cause some loss of momentum to elements such as chipping ground or surrounding air, this can be considered as part of the Earth's overall momentum. Therefore, momentum is not lost in the same way that kinetic energy is.
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If a heavy ball is rolling on a surface, it eventually stops due to the frictional force. Where does the momentum of that ball go? Is it lost to heat, or does it maybe cause the Earth to move a very small and unnoticeable amount?
 
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It causes the Earth to move a very small and unnoticeable amount. But you had to have moved the Earth a small and unnoticeable amount when you started the ball rolling so, this should just cancel that out roughly (the center of mass has shifted by a little bit in the process).
 
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  • #3
So is momentum not lost to friction in the same way that kinetic energy is?
 
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Scheuerf said:
So is momentum not lost to friction in the same way that kinetic energy is?

Friction is a force and as such changes the momentum of the ball. But Newton's 3rd law says every force has an equal and opposite reaction force so that momentum is conserved. You could perhaps lose a little bit of momentum to pieces of the ground chipping or to the surrounding air or something, but you would probably just lump those elements together into "Earth".
 
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  • #5
Scheuerf said:
So is momentum not lost to friction in the same way that kinetic energy is?

No. Momentum is always conserved in any type of collision.
 

1. What is momentum and how does it relate to energy?

Momentum is a measure of an object's motion and is determined by its mass and velocity. It is directly related to energy, as an object with momentum also has kinetic energy due to its motion.

2. How does friction affect an object's momentum?

Friction is a force that opposes motion and therefore can decrease an object's momentum. When an object is moving, friction acts in the opposite direction of its motion, causing it to slow down.

3. Can momentum be transferred between objects?

Yes, momentum can be transferred between objects through collisions or other interactions. In a collision, the total momentum before and after the collision remains the same, but it can be redistributed between the objects involved.

4. Where does the energy go when an object experiences friction?

The energy from an object's momentum that is lost due to friction is converted into heat. Friction causes the molecules in the surfaces of the objects to rub against each other, creating thermal energy.

5. How can we minimize the energy lost due to friction?

There are several ways to minimize the energy lost due to friction, such as using lubricants to reduce the contact between surfaces, using smoother surfaces, or reducing the force of the object's motion. Additionally, reducing the weight of an object can also decrease the energy lost due to friction.

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