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p 1 + p 2 = constant , size 12{p rSub { size 8{1} } +p rSub { size 8{2} } =" constant"} {}
p 1 + p 2 = p 1 + p 2 , size 12{p rSub { size 8{1} } +p rSub { size 8{2} } = { {p}} sup { ' } rSub { size 8{1} } + { {p}} sup { ' } rSub { size 8{2} } } {}

where p 1 size 12{ { {p}} sup { ' } rSub { size 8{1} } } {} and p 2 size 12{ { {p}} sup { ' } rSub { size 8{2} } } {} are the momenta of cars 1 and 2 after the collision. (We often use primes to denote the final state.)

This result—that momentum is conserved—has validity far beyond the preceding one-dimensional case. It can be similarly shown that total momentum is conserved for any isolated system, with any number of objects in it. In equation form, the conservation of momentum principle    for an isolated system is written

p tot = constant , size 12{p rSub { size 8{"tot"} } ="constant"} {}

or

p tot = p tot , size 12{p rSub { size 8{"tot"} } =p' rSub { size 8{"tot"} } } {}

where p tot size 12{p rSub { size 8{"tot"} } } {} is the total momentum (the sum of the momenta of the individual objects in the system) and p tot size 12{ ital "p'" rSub { size 8{"tot"} } } {} is the total momentum some time later. (The total momentum can be shown to be the momentum of the center of mass of the system.) An isolated system    is defined to be one for which the net external force is zero F net = 0 . size 12{ left (F rSub { size 8{ ital "net"} } =0 right ) "." } {}

Conservation of momentum principle

p tot = constant p tot = p tot ( isolated system )

Isolated system

An isolated system is defined to be one for which the net external force is zero F net = 0 . size 12{ left (F rSub { size 8{ ital "net"} } =0 right ) "." } {}

Perhaps an easier way to see that momentum is conserved for an isolated system is to consider Newton’s second law in terms of momentum, F net = Δ p tot Δ t . For an isolated system, F net = 0 ; thus, Δ p tot = 0 size 12{?p rSub { size 8{"tot"} } =0} {} , and p tot is constant.

We have noted that the three length dimensions in nature— x size 12{x} {} , y size 12{y} {} , and z size 12{z} {} —are independent, and it is interesting to note that momentum can be conserved in different ways along each dimension. For example, during projectile motion and where air resistance is negligible, momentum is conserved in the horizontal direction because horizontal forces are zero and momentum is unchanged. But along the vertical direction, the net vertical force is not zero and the momentum of the projectile is not conserved. (See [link] .) However, if the momentum of the projectile-Earth system is considered in the vertical direction, we find that the total momentum is conserved.

A space probe is projected upward. It takes a parabolic path. No horizontal net force acts on. The horizontal component of momentum remains conserved. The vertical net force is not zero and the vertical component of momentum is not a constant. When the space probe separates, the horizontal net force remains zero as the force causing separation is internal to the system. The vertical net force is not zero and the vertical component of momentum is also not a constant after separation. The centre of mass however continues in the same parabolic path.
The horizontal component of a projectile’s momentum is conserved if air resistance is negligible, even in this case where a space probe separates. The forces causing the separation are internal to the system, so that the net external horizontal force F x net is still zero. The vertical component of the momentum is not conserved, because the net vertical force F y net is not zero. In the vertical direction, the space probe-Earth system needs to be considered and we find that the total momentum is conserved. The center of mass of the space probe takes the same path it would if the separation did not occur.

The conservation of momentum principle can be applied to systems as different as a comet striking Earth and a gas containing huge numbers of atoms and molecules. Conservation of momentum is violated only when the net external force is not zero. But another larger system can always be considered in which momentum is conserved by simply including the source of the external force. For example, in the collision of two cars considered above, the two-car system conserves momentum while each one-car system does not.

Making connections: take-home investigation—drop of tennis ball and a basketball

Hold a tennis ball side by side and in contact with a basketball. Drop the balls together. (Be careful!) What happens? Explain your observations. Now hold the tennis ball above and in contact with the basketball. What happened? Explain your observations. What do you think will happen if the basketball ball is held above and in contact with the tennis ball?

Practice Key Terms 3

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Source:  OpenStax, Physics of the world around us. OpenStax CNX. May 21, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11797/1.1
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