Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of an isolated system remains constant if no external forces act on it.
Related terms
Impulse: This is a measure of how much a force changes an object's motion. It's like giving a big push to start a swing moving.
Inelastic Collision: A type of collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved but momentum is conserved. It's like when two pieces of clay collide and stick together - they move as one after impact.
Elastic Collision: A type of collision where both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. It's like when two billiard balls collide - they bounce off each other without losing any energy.