Pinitial

Definition

Pinitial refers to the initial total momentum before a collision occurs. It takes into account both the mass and velocity of all objects involved in the system.

Related terms

Pfinal (Final Momentum): Refers to the total momentum of the system after a collision has occurred.

Conservation of Momentum:

The principle that states that the total momentum of an isolated system remains constant before and after a collision, as long as no external forces are acting on it.

Impulse:

The change in momentum experienced by an object when a force is applied to it for a certain amount of time.