Why is momentum conserved in elastic and inelastic collisions?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the conservation of momentum in both elastic and inelastic collisions, with participants seeking to understand the underlying principles and mathematical proofs related to this concept.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why momentum is conserved in both types of collisions and requests a mathematical proof.
  • Another participant references Newton's third law as a foundational principle for understanding momentum conservation.
  • A subsequent post reiterates the reference to Newton's third law and introduces an expression related to kinetic energy, suggesting a connection to momentum.
  • A later reply clarifies that the previous expression was for kinetic energy and emphasizes that Newton's third law can be used to demonstrate momentum conservation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the explanation of momentum conservation, and multiple viewpoints regarding the connection to Newton's laws are presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to Newton's laws and kinetic energy but lacks a detailed mathematical framework or proof as requested by the initial post.

Sandeep T S
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
Why momentum conserved in elastic collision and inelastic collision? Please attach mathematical proof too
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Consider Newton's 3rd law.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: robphy and PeroK
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.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Chestermiller

Similar threads

Undergrad Elastic or inelastic collision?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad How momentum is conserved in an inelastic collision
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Undergrad An Alternative Approach to Solving Collision Problems
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Undergrad Momentum Transfer: Elastic Collision vs Inelastic Collision
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
High School K Energy & Momentum: Driving Force or Lost Heat?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Graduate How Do Inelastic Collisions Distribute Energy Between Heat and Sound?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
High School Why is KE not conserved when momentum is?
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
5K
Undergrad Collisions Toolkit: Impulse, Momentum & Energy Formulas
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad How is it that momentum is being preserved in a non elastic collision?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Graduate An Alternate Approach to Solving 2-Dimensional Elastic Collisions
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K