Conservation of Linear Momentum Formula

The formula for the conservation of linear momentum states that the total linear momentum of an isolated system remains constant if no external forces act on it. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

∑p_{initial =} ∑p_final

where:

• ∑p_initial is the total initial momentum of the system,
• ∑p_final is the total final momentum of the system.

This equation means that the sum of the momenta of all objects in the system before an event is equal to the sum of their momenta after the event. It reflects the conservation principle that momentum is conserved in a closed system where no external forces are acting.

What is Linear Momentum

Linear momentum, often simply referred to as momentum, is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the quantity of motion possessed by an object. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. Linear Momentum quantifies the amount of motion an object possesses, objects with larger masses or higher velocities have greater linear momentum. According to Newton’s laws of motion, an external force acting on an object can change its momentum, resulting in acceleration or deceleration.

Linear Momentum Formula

The formula of linear momentum represents the product of an object’s mass and its velocity. Mathematically it can be expressed as:

p = m․v

where:

• p is the linear momentum
• m is the mass of the object
• v is the velocity of the object

Dimensional Formula of Linear Momentum

The dimensional formula of Linear momentum is:

[MLT^-1 ]

where:

• M is the mass of the object
• L is the length
• T is the time

Conservation of linear momentum is a key principle governing interacting objects’ behavior in various physical scenarios. It states that the momentum before an event must equal the momentum after the event, provided there are no external forces involved. The conservation of linear momentum finds wide application across various fields of physics and engineering. It explains phenomena such as collisions, explosions, and the motion of celestial bodies. In this article, we’ll talk about the conservation of linear momentum, its formula, and how it works in real life.