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Module 2

1. Module 2

1.21. Page 5

Lesson 3

Module 2—The Conservation of Momentum in Isolated Systems

Lesson Summary

 

At the start of this lesson, you were asked the following essential questions:

  • Is momentum conserved in a non-linear collision?

  • How is component analysis applied to solve non-linear collision problems?

  • Can it be proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Kathy was moving at the speed limit just prior to the collision described in the accident scenario in the Big Picture?

You looked at collisions that occur in two dimensions. You verified that the total momentum of a system is conserved during a collision. Specifically, the total momentum of the x direction and the y direction is also conserved during a collision. The key principles are as follows:

  • Momentum is a vector and can be resolved into components.

  • During a collision, the total momentum of the components is conserved:

 and

 

Using this conservation principle, it is possible to analyze two-dimensional collisions, such as those of vehicles that meet in an intersection.