CHAPTER 9: LINEAR MOMENTUM

The rate of change of momentum of an object = the net force applied to it

Conservation of Momentum

When the net external force on a system of objects is zero, the total momentum of the
(isolated) system remains constant.

Collisions and Impulse

During a collision, objects are deformed due to the large forces involved.

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Since the time of the collision is very short, we need not worry about
the exact time dependence of the force, and can use the average force.

Types of Collisions
Elastic Collision Inelastic Collision

Completely elastic (head-on) collision Completely inelastic collision

the relative speed of the two objects before the collision = objects stick (move) together
-(the relative speed of the two objects after the collision)

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A proton (p) of mass m traveling with a speed of 3.6 104 m/s has an elastic head on collision with a
helium (He) (mHe=4mp) initially at rest. What are the velocities of the proton and helium after the collsion?

Collisions in Two or Three Dimensions

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 Center of Mass (CM)

There is a special point in a system or object, called the center of mass, that moves as if all of the mass of the
system is concentrated at that point.

Three particles of masses m1 = 1.2 kg, m2 = 2.5 kg, and m3 = 3.4 kg. Where is the
center of mass of this system? ( m1 is at (0,0), m2 is at (140 cm,0), and
m3 is at (70 cm, 120 cm).)

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 Center of Mass and Translational Motion

The sum of all the forces acting on a system is equal to the total mass of the system
multiplied by the acceleration of the center of mass:

The total momentum of a system of particles is equal to the product of the total mass
and the velocity of the center of mass.

This is particularly useful in the analysis of separations and explosions; the

center of mass (which may not correspond to the position of any particle)
continues to move according to the net force.

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