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MECHANICS

Newton's First Law of Motion: Inertia

Linear Motion

Newton's Second Law: Force and Acceleration

Newton's Third Law: Action and Reaction

Momentum

Energy

Rotational Motion

Gravity

Projectile and Satellite Motion

Momentum

Momentum is the product of mass and velocity. Conservation of momentum in isolated systems.

Mass A (kg)

Mass B (kg)

Velocity A (m/s)

right

Velocity B (m/s)

left

Before collision

Before collision

After collision

Click Start, then let the carts collide to see values here.

Momentum vs. Time

Equations

Definition

p=mvp = m \cdot v

For each cart

pA=mAvA(blue),pB=mBvB(green)p_A = m_A \cdot v_A \quad \text{(blue)},\qquad p_B = m_B \cdot v_B \quad \text{(green)}

Conservation

pA+pB=constantp_A + p_B = \text{constant}

Total momentum of the system does not change during a collision.