Law Of Conservation Of Linear Momentum

The linear momentum of a particle at an instant is defined as the product of its mass and velocity at that particular instant. It is represented by the symbol p, and it is a vector quantity. The momentum of a system of particles is the vector sum of the individual momentum of all the particles.

Conservation of Linear Momentum

If the net external force acting on a system of bodies is zero, then the momentum of the system remains constant. This is the basic law of conservation of linear momentum.

We have to remember that the momentum of the system is conserved and not that of the individual particles. The momentum of the individual bodies in the system might increase or decrease according to the situation, but the momentum of the system will always be conserved, as long as there is no external net force acting on it.

Conservation of Linear Momentum Formula

The principle of conservation of momentum states that if two objects collide, then the total momentum before and after the collision will be the same if there is no external force acting on the colliding objects.

Conservation of linear momentum formula mathematically expresses the momentum of the system remains constant when the net external force is zero.
Initial momentum = Final momentum
Pi=Pf

Linear Momentum Formula

Linear momentum is mathematically expressed as:

$\overrightarrow{p}$ = m$\overrightarrow{v}$ $\overrightarrow{p}$ is the linear momentum.
$\overrightarrow{v}$ is the linear velocity.
m is the mass of the body.
You may also like to learn more about other related concepts as given below:

Conservation Of Linear Momentum Equation

The law of conservation of momentum can be explained from the second law of motion. Newton’s second law of motion says that rate of change of linear momentum of a body is equal to the net external force applied on it.

Mathematically it is expressed as:

$\frac{dP}{dt} \\=\frac{(mv)}{dt} \\=m\frac{dv}{dt} \\=ma \\=F_{net}$

If the net external force acting on a body is zero, then the rate of change of momentum is also zero, which means that there is no change in momentum.

Conservation Of Linear Momentum Example

Two bodies of mass M and m are moving in opposite directions with the velocities v. If they collide and move together after the collision, we have to find the velocity of the system.

Since there is no external force acting on the system of two bodies, momentum will be conserved.

Initial momentum = Final momentum

(Mv – mv) = (M+m)VFinal

From this equation, we can easily find the final velocity of the system.

Conservation Of Linear Momentum Applications

One of the applications of conservation of momentum is the launching of rockets. The rocket fuel burns are pushed the exhaust gases downwards, and due to this, the rocket gets pushed upwards. Motorboats also work on the same principle, it pushes the water backwards and gets pushed forwards in reaction to conserve momentum.

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about Linear momentum, its conservation and much more.

Practise This Question

A missile of mass 1 kg is moving with speed 10 m/s along the +ve x direction. Its target is a car weighing 100 kg, moving with 1 m/s also in the +ve x direction. The missile hits the target but doesn't burst. Find the combined velocity of car-missile system?