DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4: KINETICS OF A PARTICLE

4.2 CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM
When the sum of the external impulses acting on a system is zero,
equation of principle of impulse and momentum reduces to a simplified
form,
∑ mi ¿ ¿

This equation is referred to as the conservation of linear momentum.

It states that the total linear momentum for a system of particles
remains constant during the time period t 1 and t 2.

PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS

FREE BODY DIAGRAM

 Establish the x, y, z inertial frame of reference and draw the

free-body diagram for each particle of the system in order to
identify the internal and external forces.

 The conservation of linear momentum applies to the system in a

direction which either has no external forces or the forces can
be considered no impulsive.

 Establish the direction and sense of the particles’ initial and

final velocities. If the sense is unknown, assume it is along
positive inertial coordinate axis.

 As an alternative procedure, draw the impulse and momentum

diagrams for each particle of the system.
MOMENTUM EQUATION

 Apply the principle of linear impulse and momentum or the

conservation of linear momentum in the appropriate directions.

 If it is necessary to determine the internal impulse ∫ F dt acting

on only one particle of a system, then the particle must be
isolated (free-body diagram), and the principle of linear impulse
and momentum must be applied to this particle.

 After the impulse is calculated, and provided the time ∆ t for

which the impulse acts is known, then the average impulsive force
F avg can be determined from F avg=∫ F dt / ∆ t

DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES KINEMATICS OF A PARTICLE