CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM - 1D

==The Conservation of Momentum== The total momentum of a system is always constant (provided the system is closed and nothing is allowed to enter or leave, i.e. no external forces act on the system). Take the example of two particles. The total momentum of the system is p = p~1~+ p~2~ = constant This equation is still valid for n number of particles. Momentum is a vector and is added as such. In a 1-dimensional problem, assign one of the directions as positive and the opposite direction as negative. ===Collisions=== We can analyse collisions using the conservation of momentum, using the property that the total momentum is constant before and after the collision. Layout the problems using diagrams and try to show very clear working. ==Simple 2 body collisions:== ===Two particles colliding and move off separately=== '''(m~1~u~1)~ + (m~2~u~2~) = (m~1~v~1~) + (m~2~v~2~)''' [image:https://strongphysics.wikispaces.com/file/view/physics2.jpg/51969377/533x214/physics2.jpg] ===Two particles colliding and sticking together, same final velocity=== '''m~1~u~1~ + m~2~u~2~ = (m~1~ + m~2~)v''' [image:https://i.imgur.com/VoQu6yl.png] ===Explosions: total momentum = 0=== '''m~1~u~1~ + m~2~u~2~ = 0 = m~1~v~1~ + m~2~v~2~''' [image:https://i.imgur.com/8E3fhzR.gif]