1. What is Momentum Conservation?

Momentum conservation is a fundamental principle in physics stating that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act upon it. In collisions, the total momentum before impact equals the total momentum after impact.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the momentum conservation equation:

Where:

• \( p \) — Momentum (kg·m/s)
• \( m_1 \) — Mass of object 1 (kg)
• \( v_1 \) — Velocity of object 1 (m/s)
• \( m_2 \) — Mass of object 2 (kg)
• \( v_2 \) — Velocity of object 2 (m/s)

Explanation: The equation calculates the total momentum of a system by summing the momentum of each individual object.

3. Importance of Momentum Calculation

Details: Momentum calculation is crucial for analyzing collisions, predicting outcomes of interactions between objects, and understanding conservation laws in physics. It's essential in engineering, automotive safety, and sports science.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter masses in kilograms and velocities in meters per second. Mass values must be non-negative. The calculator will compute the total momentum of the system.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is momentum?
A: Momentum is a vector quantity equal to the product of an object's mass and its velocity. It describes the quantity of motion an object has.

Q2: Why is momentum conserved in collisions?
A: Momentum is conserved because it follows from Newton's third law - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, resulting in no net change in total momentum.

Q3: What are elastic vs inelastic collisions?
A: In elastic collisions, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. In inelastic collisions, only momentum is conserved while kinetic energy is not.

Q4: Can momentum be negative?
A: Yes, momentum can be negative as it's a vector quantity. Negative momentum indicates motion in the opposite direction of the defined positive direction.

Q5: How is momentum different from kinetic energy?
A: Momentum depends on both mass and velocity (p = mv), while kinetic energy depends on mass and the square of velocity (KE = ½mv²). Momentum is conserved in all collisions, but kinetic energy is only conserved in elastic collisions.