Why is momentum conserved in elastic and inelastic collisions?

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SUMMARY

Momentum is conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions due to Newton's Third Law, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This principle ensures that the total momentum before and after a collision remains constant, regardless of the type of collision. The mathematical proof involves analyzing the forces acting on colliding bodies and their resulting velocities, confirming that momentum is conserved in both scenarios.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Third Law of Motion
  • Basic knowledge of momentum and its mathematical representation
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy equations
  • Concept of elastic and inelastic collisions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical proof of momentum conservation in collisions
  • Explore the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions
  • Learn about the implications of momentum conservation in real-world applications
  • Investigate the role of external forces in collision scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of momentum conservation in collisions.

Sandeep T S
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Why momentum conserved in elastic collision and inelastic collision? Please attach mathematical proof too
 
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Consider Newton's 3rd law.
 
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Doc Al said:
Consider Newton's 3rd law.
P^2/2m ,I got it
 
What you wrote was just the expression for the kinetic energy. The point made by Doc Al in post #2 is that from Newton's third law, you can prove that momentum is conserved.
 
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