PHYSICS CONCEPT : CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM

Principle of conservation of momentum states :

 The total momentum of a system is constant, if no external force ( friction, air

resistance and etc) acts on the system
 Applied in two situations :

(a) Collision (elastic and inelastic)

Elastic collisions Inelastic collisions

MA MB MA MB MA MB MA MB

UA UB V
UA UB VA VB

After collision, the objects move separately
Momentum is conserved
Total energy is conserved
Kinetic energy is conserved
MAUA + MBUB = MAVA + MBVB
After collision, the objects move together with a
common velocity
Momentum is conserved
Total energy is conserved
Kinetic energy is not conserved
MAUA + MBUB = ( MA + MB ) V

(b) Explosion

Example :

Figure 1

The masses of the bow and arrow in Figure 1 are 10 kg and 1 kg respectively.
When the string of the bow is released, the arrow moves forward with a
velocity of 20 ms-1. Calculate the recoil velocity of the bow.

M1V1 + M2V2 = 0
(10) V1 + (1) (20) = 0
10 V1 = 20
V1 = 2 ms-1
 EXAMPLES IN APPLICATION FOR ELASTIC COLLISIONS

A trolley of mass 3 kg moving with a velocity of 2 ms-1 collides with another trolley of mass
0.5 kg which is moving at a velocity of 1 ms-1 in the same direction. If the 0.5 kg trolley
moves at a velocity of 2.5 ms-1 in the same direction after the collision, what is the velocity
of the 3 kg trolley?

2 ms-1 1ms-1 V 2.5 ms-1

3 kg 0.5 kg 3 kg 0.5 kg
(Before collision) (After collision)

(3)(2) + (0.5)(1) = (3)(V) + (0.5)(2.5)

6 + 0.5 = 3V + 1.25
V = 1.75 ms-1

EXAMPLES IN APPLICATION FOR INELASTIC COLLISIONS

A 50 kg skater is travelling due east at a speed of 3 ms-1 before colliding with another skater
of mass 60 kg travelling in the opposite direction at speed of 7 ms -1. After the collision, the
two skaters hold on to each other. What is the speed of the two skaters?

(Before collision) (After collision)

(50)(3) + (60)(-7) = (50)(V) + (60)(V)

150 + 420 = 50V +60V

-270 = 110V

V = -2.45 ms-1