Understanding the Relationship Between Force and Momentum: F=dp/dt Explained

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter John_Doe
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The relationship between force and momentum is defined by the equation F = dp/dt, where F represents force and p represents momentum. This equation is fundamental in modern physics, emphasizing that force is the rate of change of momentum over time. For systems with constant mass, this simplifies to F = ma, where m is mass and a is acceleration. The discussion highlights the historical context of Newton's formulation and the implications of mass variation in different physical scenarios, particularly in non-relativistic and relativistic frameworks.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Familiarity with calculus, particularly differentiation
  • Knowledge of classical mechanics concepts
  • Basic grasp of momentum and its relation to mass and velocity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of F = dp/dt in non-relativistic classical mechanics
  • Explore the concept of momentum conservation in closed systems
  • Investigate the role of mass variation in rocket dynamics
  • Learn about the transition from classical to modern physics regarding force definitions
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and professionals in engineering or applied physics who seek a deeper understanding of the foundational principles governing motion and force in both classical and modern contexts.

  • #61
What's the lagrangian you're using?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #62
Physics Monkey said:
This factor is important because it allows you to set the rest of the integrand to zero (in general, just because the integral of a function is zero doesn't mean the function is zero). Hope this helps.
By the way, you wouldn't happen to go to Georgia Tech would you?
Thanks for the part in bold, I was actually looking at what I'd written after wondering why it wasn't \delta{S} = constant.
As for your question, I go to NUI Maynooth in Ireland.
What's the lagrangian you're using?
A general one for a conservative force.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Conflicting results about Stress tensor symmetry on EM field
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
885
Graduate Is there some geometrical interpretation of force from Newton's Laws?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
High School Question in the momemtum-impulse theorem derivation
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
High School Understanding Momentum: The Relationship Between Mass, Velocity, and Force
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
High School Calculating Force of Ball-Spring Collision
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Graduate The definition of generalised momentum
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
5K
Undergrad What is the Exact Meaning of F=dp/dt?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
Undergrad Definite and indefinite integration in the definition of work
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
8K
Graduate A question about the relationship between momentum and force
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Graduate Question for anyone with Morin's "Introduction to Classical Mechanics"
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K