What is the principle of conservation of momentum?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the principle of conservation of momentum?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed
The total momentum of a closed system remains constant
Force equals mass times acceleration
Work done is equal to energy transferred
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the principle of conservation of momentum?
Correct Answer: The total momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act on it.
Step 1: Understand what momentum is. Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity (speed in a direction).
Step 2: Learn what a closed system is. A closed system is one where no outside forces (like friction or gravity) are acting on the objects inside it.
Step 3: Know that the principle of conservation means something stays the same. In this case, it means the total momentum stays the same.
Step 4: Realize that if no external forces are acting on a closed system, the total momentum before any event (like a collision) will equal the total momentum after the event.
Step 5: Apply this principle to examples, like two cars colliding. The momentum they have before the collision will equal the momentum they have after the collision, as long as no outside forces interfere.
