Newton's Second Law: Momentum & Forces Explained

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SUMMARY

Newton's Second Law, expressed as F=dp/dt, establishes the relationship between force and momentum. When the same force is applied to two different masses (m1 and m2) for the same duration, the change in momentum (p1 and p2) will be equal, leading to p1 = p2. However, the resulting velocities of the objects differ based on their masses, calculated using the formulas v1 = p1 / m1 and v2 = p2 / m2. This confirms that while momentum may be equal, velocity is mass-dependent.

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lalobegar
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Hi, I have a question that may be a little silly, but anyway, here is it...

From Newton's second law we know that F=dp/dt, this means that, if I apply a force to a body of mass m1 and then I apply the same force to a mass m2, then dp1/dt=dp2/dt, and if both bodies are initially at rest, the I could say that p1=p2, is that right?

Thanks in advance

Eduardo.
 
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Yes, if you have applied the force for the same duration to both objects the magnitudes of p1 and p2 will be the same. The velocities of the objects, however, will depend on their respective masses: v1 = p1 / m1 and v2 = p2 / m2.
 

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