S4 Linear Momentum
Motivation
The concept of the linear momentum of a system of particles is an extremely fruitful one in many areas of physics. In this section we develop the tools needed to describe the motion of such a system, and deduce that momentum must be conserved for an isolated system. This allows us to analyse elastic and inelastic collisions.Objectives
By the end of this section you should:
- be familiar with Newton’s 2nd law in its most general form
- understand what is meant by a ‘system of particles’
- be able to calculate the centre of mass, its velocity and momentum
- understand why, for a system of particles, linear momentum is conserved
- be able to analyse inelastic collisions by applying the principle of momentum conservation
- be able to analyse elastic collisions using momentum and kinetic energy conservation