Conservation of linear momentum

Definition

The conservation of linear momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces act on it. In other words, the total amount of motion in a system does not change unless an external force is applied.

Analogy

Imagine a group of friends playing catch with a ball on a frictionless ice rink. If they throw the ball back and forth without any external forces acting on them, their combined momentum will remain constant. It's like watching them glide smoothly across the ice without any changes in their overall speed or direction.

Related terms

Impulse: Impulse is the change in momentum experienced by an object when a force acts upon it for a certain amount of time.

Elastic Collision: An elastic collision is a collision between objects where both kinetic energy and linear momentum are conserved.

Inelastic Collision: An inelastic collision is a collision between objects where only linear momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not conserved.