CONSERVATION of MOMENTUM in ONE DIMENSION

Can we make scientific sense of what is happening here?

Momentum revise concepts:

p = m.v Momentum is a vector quantity (direction must be taken into account) p = m(vf vi)

Impulse = F t
F t = m(vf vi)

The principle of conservation of momentum.

There are no external forces acting on the system. The only forces are those due to the interaction of the colliding bodies.

In an isolated system, the total momentum before a collision or explosion equals the total momentum after the collision or explosion

 The law of conservation of momentum can be verified experimentally. BUT

Consider 2 objects, A and B, of masses m1 and m2, traveling at initial velocities vi1 and vi2.
They collide and travel at velocities vf1 and vf2 after the collision.

According to Newtons third law, during a collision the force that A exerts on B (F1) equals the force B exerts on A (F2), but in opposite directions.
A B

F1 = - F2

According to Newtons Second Law:

m1vf1 m1vi1 t1 m2vf2 m2vi2

t2

The times of contact are equal, and so: m1vf1 m1vi1 = - (m2vf2 m2vi2)
Or:

Momentum is conserved during a collision.

m2 m2 m1 m1

Before collision
Velocity = vf

After collision Velocity = vi

Time of collision

p before the collision = m1vi p after the collision = (m1 + m2) vf

p before the collision = p after the collision

m1vi = (m1 + m2) vf

The conservation of momentum during a collision.

During a collision in an isolated system, the total linear momentum is conserved.

Mass of each = 1 kg
P after = p before

Conservation of momentum during an explosion

p before the explosion = 0 p after the explosion = 0

Scenario 1 above:
Scenario 2 above:

m.v = -m.v
m.2u = -2m.u

(Take left as +)

Can you solve these problems?

What is the velocity of granny and baby after the collision?

A cannon ball of mass 900g is fired from a cannon of mass 40kg. The ball leaves the muzzle of the cannon at 250 m.s-1. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the cannon (recoil velocity).

Elastic and Inelastic collisions

Elastic collisions occur when objects come apart after colliding. Inelastic collisions occur when colliding objects move as a single unit after colliding.

ELASTIC AND INELASTIC COLLISIONS

The linear momentum of a system is ALWAYS conserved during a collision or an explosion.

Kinetic energy is only conserved during an elastic collision. In an elastic collision no energy is lost due to deformation or friction. No sound or light is emitted.

Work is required to change the shape of an object (deformation). Heat energy is generated during the deformation of a colliding object. Some energy is converted into sound.

This causes the total kinetic energy of the system to be less after the collision than before the collision.
Such a collision is known as an inelastic collision.

Elastic collisions

Inelastic collisions

*
*

Elastic

In elastic collisions, objects come apart after the collision Inelastic

In inelastic collisions, the objects remain locked together after the collision and move as 1 unit.

Elastic collision:

before

= P

m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v3 + m2v4

Elastic collision: P
before

*
*

after

= P

after

m1v1 +(- m2v2) = (-m1v3) + m2v4

Inelastic collision: P before = P

after

m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1 + m2)v3

Inelastic collision: P
before

= P

after

m1v1 + (-m2v2) = (m1 + m2)v3

What must you be able to do?

Define the laws that govern the way objects collide. State the law of conservation of momentum. Apply this knowledge in calculations. Compare momentum and kinetic energy changes during collisions.