Conservation of Momentum

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The principle that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant over time and cannot be created or destroyed.

Introduction to momentum: Momentum is a fundamental quantity in classical mechanics, representing the mass and velocity of an object.
Collisions: Collisions between two or more objects involve the transfer of momentum, and can be classified as elastic or inelastic.
Conservation of momentum: The principle of conservation of momentum states that, in the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system is constant.
Center of mass: The center of mass of a system is the point around which the system's mass is balanced, and is a useful concept in studying collisions and other interactions.
Impulse and momentum: The impulse-momentum theorem relates the change in momentum of an object to the force applied to it over a given time interval.
Recoil: When an object or system undergoes a change in momentum, it may experience a recoil or "kickback" in the opposite direction.
Rocket propulsion: Rocket engines work by expelling a high-momentum stream of gas in one direction, causing the rocket to accelerate in the opposite direction.
Newton's laws of motion: The conservation of momentum can be derived from Newton's laws of motion, which describe the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
Angular momentum: Angular momentum is a related concept to linear momentum, describing the rotational motion of objects around an axis.
Conservation of energy: The conservation of momentum is related to the conservation of energy, as both are fundamental principles in classical mechanics.
Applications of conservation of momentum: Conservation of momentum has practical applications in many fields, including physics, engineering, and sports.
Elastic collision: A collision between two objects in which there is no loss of kinetic energy, and both objects rebound with the same velocity as they approached each other.
Inelastic collision: A collision between two objects in which kinetic energy is lost and the objects do not rebound with the same velocity as they approached each other.
Perfectly inelastic collision: A collision between two objects in which they stick together after the collision and move as one object with a combined momentum.
Explosive collision: A collision in which an object is initially at rest and then is broken apart into two or more fragments due to the application of an external force.
Collision in one dimension: A collision in which the motion of the objects involved occurs in only one dimension.
Collision in two dimensions: A collision in which the motion of the objects involved occurs in two dimensions.
Glancing collision: A type of collision in which the objects involved have a non-parallel and non-zero angle of incidence.
Collision between a point mass and a fixed object: A collision in which one of the objects involved is a point mass and the other is stationary.
Collision between two point masses: A collision in which both of the objects involved are point masses.
Elastic collision between two moving balls of different masses: A specific type of elastic collision in which two balls of different masses collide with no loss of kinetic energy.
"In Newtonian mechanics, momentum is the product of the mass and velocity of an object." Quote source: Momentum: "In Newtonian mechanics, momentum (PL: momenta or momentums; more specifically linear momentum or translational momentum) is the product of the mass and velocity of an object."
"In the International System of Units (SI), the unit of measurement of momentum is the kilogram metre per second (kg⋅m/s), which is equivalent to the newton-second." Quote source: Momentum: "In the International System of Units (SI), the unit of measurement of momentum is the kilogram metre per second (kg⋅m/s), which is equivalent to the newton-second."
"Newton's second law of motion states that the rate of change of a body's momentum is equal to the net force acting on it." Quote source: Momentum: "Newton's second law of motion states that the rate of change of a body's momentum is equal to the net force acting on it."
"In any inertial frame, [momentum] is a conserved quantity, meaning that if a closed system is not affected by external forces, its total linear momentum does not change." Quote source: Momentum: "Momentum depends on the frame of reference, but in any inertial frame it is a conserved quantity, meaning that if a closed system is not affected by external forces, its total linear momentum does not change."
"[Momentum] is also conserved in special relativity (with a modified formula) and, in a modified form, in electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and general relativity." Quote source: Momentum: "Momentum is also conserved in special relativity (with a modified formula) and, in a modified form, in electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and general relativity."
"It is an expression of one of the fundamental symmetries of space and time: translational symmetry." Quote source: Momentum: "It is an expression of one of the fundamental symmetries of space and time: translational symmetry."
"Advanced formulations of classical mechanics, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, allow one to choose coordinate systems that incorporate symmetries and constraints. In these systems, the conserved quantity is generalized momentum." Quote source: Momentum: "Advanced formulations of classical mechanics, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, allow one to choose coordinate systems that incorporate symmetries and constraints. In these systems, the conserved quantity is generalized momentum."
"The momentum and position operators are related by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle." Quote source: Momentum: "The momentum and position operators are related by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle."
"In continuous systems such as electromagnetic fields, fluid dynamics and deformable bodies, a momentum density can be defined." Quote source: Momentum: "In continuous systems such as electromagnetic fields, fluid dynamics and deformable bodies, a momentum density can be defined."
"A continuum version of the conservation of momentum leads to equations such as the Navier–Stokes equations for fluids." Quote source: Momentum: "A continuum version of the conservation of momentum leads to equations such as the Navier–Stokes equations for fluids."
"The concept of generalized momentum is carried over into quantum mechanics, where it becomes an operator on a wave function." Quote source: Momentum: "The concept of generalized momentum is carried over into quantum mechanics, where it becomes an operator on a wave function."
"A continuum version of the conservation of momentum leads to equations such as the Cauchy momentum equation for deformable solids or fluids." Quote source: Momentum: "A continuum version of the conservation of momentum leads to equations such as the Cauchy momentum equation for deformable solids or fluids."
"It is an expression of one of the fundamental symmetries of space and time: translational symmetry." Quote source: Momentum: "It is an expression of one of the fundamental symmetries of space and time: translational symmetry."
"If a closed system is not affected by external forces, its total linear momentum does not change." Quote source: Momentum: "If a closed system is not affected by external forces, its total linear momentum does not change."
"Momentum (from Latin pellere 'push, drive') is the product of the mass and velocity of an object." Quote source: Momentum: "Momentum (from Latin pellere 'push, drive') is the product of the mass and velocity of an object."
"If m is an object's mass and v is its velocity, then the object's momentum p is: p = m * v." Quote source: Momentum: "If m is an object's mass and v is its velocity, then the object's momentum p is: p = m * v."
"The unit of measurement of momentum is the kilogram metre per second (kg⋅m/s), which is equivalent to the newton-second." Quote source: Momentum: "The unit of measurement of momentum is the kilogram metre per second (kg⋅m/s), which is equivalent to the newton-second."
"In these systems, the conserved quantity is generalized momentum." Quote source: Momentum: "In these systems, the conserved quantity is generalized momentum."
"Rate of change of a body's momentum is equal to the net force acting on it." Quote source: Momentum: "Rate of change of a body's momentum is equal to the net force acting on it."
"Momentum depends on the frame of reference." Quote source: Momentum: "Momentum depends on the frame of reference."