Principle of Conservation of Momentum

The principle of conservation of momentum states that in a system make out of objects that react (collide or explode), the total momentum is constant if no external force is acted upon the system. Sum of Momentum Before Reaction = Sum of Momentum After Reaction
Formula

Example - Both Object are in the Same Direction before Collision A Car A of mass 600 kg moving at 40 ms-1 collides with a car B of mass 800 kg moving at 20 ms-1 in the same direction. If car B moves forwards at 30 ms1 by the impact, what is the velocity, v, of the car A immediately after the crash? Answer: m1 = 600kg m2 = 800kg u1 = 40 ms-1

u2 = 20 ms-1 v1 = ? v2 = 30 ms-1 According to the principle of conservation of momentum, m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2 (600)(40) + (800)(20) = (600)v1 + (800)(30) 40000 = 600v1 + 24000 600v1 = 16000 v1 = 26.67 ms-1 Example - Both Object are in opposite direction Before Collision A 0.50kg ball traveling at 6.0 ms-1 collides head-on with a 1.0 kg ball moving in the opposite direction at a speed of 12.0 ms-1. The 0.50kg ball moves backward at 14.0 ms-1 after the collision. Find the velocity of the second ball after collision. Answer: m1 = 0.5 kg m2 = 1.0 kg u1 = 6.0 ms-1 u2 = -12.0 ms-1 v1 = -14.0 ms-1 v2 = ? (IMPORTANT: velocity is negative when the object move in opposite direction) According to the principle of conservation of momentum,

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2 (0.5)(6) + (1.0)(-12) = (0.5)(-14) + (1.0)v2 -9 = - 7 + 1v2 v2 = -2 ms-1
Explosion

Before explosion both object stick together and at rest. Total Momentum before collision Is zero

After collision, both object move at opposite direction. Total Momentum after collision : m1v1 + m2v2

From the law of conservation of momentum: Total Momentum Before collision = Total Momentum after collision 0 = m1v1 + m2v2 m1v1 = - m2v2 (-ve sign means opposite direction) Example: A man fires a rifle which has mass of 2.5 kg. If the mass of the bullet is 10 g and it reaches a velocity of 250 m/s after shooting, what is the recoil velocity of the pistol? Answer: This is a typical question of explosion. m1 = 2.5 kg m2 = 0.01 kg u1 = 0 ms-1

u2 = 0 ms-1 v1 = ? v2 = 250 ms-1 By using the equation of conservation of momentum principle 0 = m1v1 + m2v2 0 = (2.5)v1 + (0.01)(250) (2.5)v1 = -2.5v1 = -1 ms-1