Conservation of momentum question?
Question
In conservation of momentum, a system of two objects starting with zero momentum, one of the objects is caused to move in one direction. The other object will move in the opposite direction. According to Newton’s first law, this movement must have been caused by a force. What force caused it’s movement? Where did the force come from?
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General Physics
7 years
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Answer ( 1 )
The Law of Conservation of Momentum only occurs when there is no net force on the system…
F=ma = m dv/dt = d(mv)/dt = dp/dt where p =mv is the momentum.
If the net force is 0, then dp/dt = 0 or p = constant.
If there are net forces on the system, then momentum is NOT conserved.