Momentum conserved on inclined ramps?

  • Thread starter Thread starter aeromat
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Inclined Momentum
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Momentum is not conserved for an object rolling down an inclined plane due to the presence of external forces acting on the system, specifically the gravitational force. While the momentum of the individual rolling object is not conserved, the momentum of the entire system, which includes the ball, the ramp, and the Earth, is conserved. This occurs because the net force acting on the system is zero when considering all components together. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing motion in physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with the concept of momentum in physics
  • Knowledge of forces acting on objects
  • Basic principles of system dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of momentum in closed systems
  • Explore the effects of external forces on momentum
  • Learn about the role of net force in motion analysis
  • Investigate the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of momentum and forces in motion.

aeromat
Messages
113
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Is momentum conserved if an object is rolling down an inclined plane?

This is just a question that I was thinking over in class the other day, because the most of the coursework done was involved with collisions between two objects. Wouldn't this also be considered the case for this question since as the object is rolling down, it is constantly colliding with the ramp..
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The momentum of what? The momentum of a system (not of individual objects) is conserved if and only if the force acting on the system is 0. The force acting on a rolling ball is not 0, so its momentum is not conserved. However, if you consider the system consisting of the ball, the ramp, and the Earth, that system's momentum is conserved.
 
By force acting on the system, you mean the "net force" must equal 0? And yes, I was talking about the second situation that you stated.
 
Yes, I mean net force.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K