Conservation of

Momentum
Physics
Chapter 6 Section 2
(Pages 215-220)
 The Big “MO”
- In all interactions between isolated objects,
momentum is conserved
- In every interaction between isolated objects,
the change in momentum of the first object
is equal to and opposite to the change in
momentum of the second object.
- Relates to Newton’s Third Law
Law of Conservation of Momentum
-The total momentum of all objects
interacting with one another remains
constant regardless of the nature of the
forces between the objects.
 Initial momentum = Final momentum
m1v1i + m2v2i = m1v1f + m2v2f
 Notice how the velocity of the car, and the
momentum of the car change when the brick is
added, but the total momentum is the same.
Chapter 6 Section 2

Homework
Page 219 # 2
Page 221 #1
Elastic and Inelastic
Collisions
Physics
Chapter 6 Section 3
(Pages 222-230)
 Inelastic Collisions
- In a perfectly inelastic collision, two objects stick
together and move as one mass after the
collision.
- Momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not
conserved in a perfectly inelastic collision.
- In an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is
converted to internal elastic potential energy
when the objects deform. Some kinetic energy
is also converted to sound energy and thermal
energy.
 Elastic Collisions
- In an elastic collision, two objects return to
their original shapes and move away from
the collision separately.
- Both momentum and kinetic energy are
conserved in an elastic collision.
- Few collisions are elastic or perfectly
inelastic
Chapter 6 Section 3
Homework
Page 230 #1, 2, 4