answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In a closed system, the TOTAL initial momentum before an "event" is the same as the TOTAL final momentum (at the end).

User Avatar

Manley Wehner

Lvl 10
βˆ™ 3y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 14y ago

The total momentum of a closed system of objects is constant. No matter where objects go, the momentum stays the same, along with the mass and energy. Nothing depends on location. (This is as long as there are no external forces affecting the system).

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

AnswerBot

βˆ™ 6mo ago

When momentum, or any other quantity, is conserved, it means that the total value of that quantity remains constant over time in a closed system. This implies that any changes in one part of the system are balanced by corresponding changes in other parts, such that the overall amount of the quantity does not change. Conservation of momentum, for example, states that the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event in the absence of external forces.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 13y ago

"What it means to say that momentum is conserved is that momentum is the same before and after the collison." Or this is more correct: "In an isolated system (i.e. provided no external force acts), the total momentum of the system remains constant."
MV before collision is equal to MV after the collision. The product of the mass and velocity of the objects before they collide is equal to the product of the mass and velocity of the objects after they collide. In an elastic collision this is easy to measure, in an inelastic collision some energy is lost to heat, sound, etc.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 10y ago

The conservation of momentum states that in an isolated system, the momentum of two colliding objects is the same before and after the collision. The momentum gained by one object is the momentum lost by the other object.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 14y ago

momentum is conserved means that the force used to create the momentum is never lost in the first place... it is simply transferred from one object to another (through contact), and this momentum is thus "conserved"

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 12y ago

It mean that when two bodies collide in an closed or isolated environment(where there is no external agent) there is no net change in the products on thier masses and thier velocity before and after collision.
It describes the fact that when two bodies collide in an isolated or closed system(where there is not physical agent)there is no net change in the product of thier masses and their velocities before and after collisions.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 12y ago

It means that the total amount of a certain quantity doesn't change over time. Here is an example, for the case of momentum:

A car with a mass of 1000 kg moves to the right, at 10 meter/second, and crashes into another car that is initially standing still, and which also has a mass of 1000 kg.

The total momentum before the crash is (1000 kg x 10 meter/second) + (1000 kg x 0 meter/second) = 10,000 kg x m/s (to the right).

The total momentum after the crash must be the same as before the momentum, so the cars (which are assumed to stick together after the crash) have a speed of 5 meter/second (which results in a momentum of 2000 kg x 5 meter/second = 10,000 kg x m/s to the right). (Eventually, momentum will be transferred to planet Earth.)

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 10y ago

In a closed system, the TOTAL initial momentum before an "event" is the same as the TOTAL final momentum (at the end).

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Celina Gonzalez

Lvl 2
βˆ™ 2y ago

What does she mean when she says "the momentum is conserved?"

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What does it means to say that momentum or any quantity is conserved?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Physics

What is the most significant similarity between conservation of energy and conservation of momentum?

The most significant similarity between conservation of energy and conservation of momentum is that both principles involve the idea that a physical system does not create or destroy the quantity being conserved. In other words, both energy and momentum are always conserved in a closed system, meaning their total amounts before and after any process remain constant.


Does momentum conserved during collisions?

Yes, momentum is conserved during collisions. This means that the total momentum of the objects before the collision is equal to the total momentum of the objects after the collision, as long as no external forces are acting on the system.


What is the theory of momentum?

The theory of momentum states that an object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity, and is conserved in a closed system. Mathematically, momentum is represented as p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity.


When we say a quantity is conserved it means that what we start with is what we end up with?

Yes, the principle of conservation states that a specific quantity remains constant over time within a closed system. This means that the initial amount of the conserved quantity is equal to the final amount after any interactions or transformations occur.


The collision between two helium atoms is perfectly elastic so that momentum is conserved?

In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. This means that the total momentum of the system before and after the collision remains the same. In the case of two helium atoms colliding elastically, the total momentum of the atoms before the collision will be equal to the total momentum of the atoms after the collision.

Related questions

What is the most significant similarity between conservation of energy and conservation of momentum?

The most significant similarity between conservation of energy and conservation of momentum is that both principles involve the idea that a physical system does not create or destroy the quantity being conserved. In other words, both energy and momentum are always conserved in a closed system, meaning their total amounts before and after any process remain constant.


Does momentum conserved during collisions?

Yes, momentum is conserved during collisions. This means that the total momentum of the objects before the collision is equal to the total momentum of the objects after the collision, as long as no external forces are acting on the system.


What is the theory of momentum?

The theory of momentum states that an object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity, and is conserved in a closed system. Mathematically, momentum is represented as p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity.


When we say a quantity is conserved it means that what we start with is what we end up with?

Yes, the principle of conservation states that a specific quantity remains constant over time within a closed system. This means that the initial amount of the conserved quantity is equal to the final amount after any interactions or transformations occur.


The collision between two helium atoms is perfectly elastic so that momentum is conserved?

In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. This means that the total momentum of the system before and after the collision remains the same. In the case of two helium atoms colliding elastically, the total momentum of the atoms before the collision will be equal to the total momentum of the atoms after the collision.


Is momentum conserved in a perfectly inelastic collision?

In any physical process, momentum will always be conserved. Momentum is given by p = m*v. There is also something called law of conservation of momentum.


What does it meanto say that momentum is conserved?

Saying momentum is conserved means that in a closed system with no external forces, the total momentum of the system before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event. This principle is based on the law of conservation of momentum in physics.


All moving objects have momentum?

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, and only moving objects have momentum. If an object is stationary, it has zero momentum. Momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, and is conserved in a closed system with no external forces acting on it.


What is the momentum of a canoe?

The momentum of a canoe is the product of its mass and velocity. Momentum is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction.


What is conserved when two object collide in a closed system?

Momentum is conserved when two objects collide in a closed system.


Give two examples showing the conservation of momentum give one example where momentum is not conserved?

Examples of conservation of momentum can be seen in a collision between two cars where their total momentum before and after the collision remains constant. Another example is in projectile motion, where the initial momentum of the object remains the same throughout its flight. An example where momentum is not conserved is when an object experiences air resistance. As the object moves through the air, momentum is lost to the surrounding air molecules due to friction, resulting in a decrease in the object's overall momentum.


What is the Law of convesation of momentum?

The law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces are acting on it. This means that in a closed system, the total momentum before an interaction is equal to the total momentum after the interaction. It is a fundamental principle in physics.