Conservation of Linear Momentum Equation
Let us consider a system comprising of n particles labelled from 1 to n each with masses m1, m2,………….mn and velocities v1, v2,……………vn
The total linear momentum of the system is given by the sum of individual momenta of all particles:
p = m1v1 + m2v2 + …………… + mnvn
p = p1 + p2 + ………….. + pn
According to Newton’s Second Law of Motion,
F = ma
⇒F= mdv/dt
⇒F= d(mv)/dt
⇒ F= dp/dt
For an isolated system where no external force is present (F=0), the rate of change of momentum will also be zero (dp/dt=0). This implies:
p = constant
Therefore, if no external force is exerted, the system’s linear momentum remains constant, implying that the sum of the momenta of all particles within the system remains constant.
Conservation of Linear Momentum
Conservation of linear momentum is a key principle governing interacting objects’ behavior in various physical scenarios. It states that the momentum before an event must equal the momentum after the event, provided there are no external forces involved. The conservation of linear momentum finds wide application across various fields of physics and engineering. It explains phenomena such as collisions, explosions, and the motion of celestial bodies. In this article, we’ll talk about the conservation of linear momentum, its formula, and how it works in real life.
Table of Content
- What is Conservation of Linear Momentum?
- Conservation of Linear Momentum Formula
- Conservation of Linear Momentum Equation
- Conservation of Linear Momentum Applications
- Conservation of Linear Momentum Example