Conservation of Momentum Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What is meant by 'momentum is conserved'?

Total momentum before an event = total momentum after the event (it stays the same).

What is meant by a 'closed system' in momentum questions?

A system on which the resultant external force is zero, so total momentum before = total momentum after.

True or false? Momentum is only conserved when the colliding objects stick together.

False. In a closed system momentum is conserved whether the objects stick together or bounce apart.

True or false? In a closed system, momentum is conserved even though kinetic energy may not be.

True. Total momentum stays the same; kinetic energy can be transferred to other stores.