Question #b4da9

1 Answer
Tanish J.
Oct 26, 2014

The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that for a closed system, the total momentum is constant.

[Closed system is one which does not exchange matter with external surroundings, and where no external force acts on the system.]

Considering a two particle system with particles of masses #m_1# and #m_2# moving with initial velocities (before colliding) #u_1# and #u_2# and final velocities #v_1# and #v_2# respectively.

Summarising it:

Masses -- Initial Velocities -- Final Velocities
#m_1 ---- u_1 ---- v_1#
#m_2 ---- u_2 ---- v_2#

Then, by law of conservation of momentum,
#m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2#

This will hold true for a multiple particle system as well.

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