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conservation of linear momentum (Definition)

If the net force acting on a particle is zero, then to total linear momentum of that particle is conserved.

Recall that the momentum of a particle of mass $m$ is given by $\mathbf{p} = md\mathbf{r}/dt$, where $\mathbf{r}$ is the position vector of that particle. Now, by Newton's First Law, if no force is acting on a particle, then it will remain in constant (or zero) velocity. This can be phrased mathematically as $\mathbf{F} = d\mathbf{p}/dt = 0$, which leads directly to the desired result; that if the net force acting upon a particle is zero, then the total linear momentum of that particle is constant in time, and hence, conserved.

The above result can be taken further, by considering what happens when the net force in a given direction is zero. Let $\mathbf{s}$ be a vector such that $\mathbf{F}\cdot\mathbf{s}=0$. This means that in the direction of the vector $\mathbf{s}$, the force vanishes. Substituting the relation between force and momentum into the equation, it is seen that $d\mathbf{p}/dt\cdot\mathbf{s} = 0$. Assume that $\mathbf{s}$ is independent of time, and integrate this equation. Trivially, the result is that $\mathbf{p}\cdot\mathbf{s} = c$, where $c$ is a constant. This result means that in the direction of $\mathbf{s}$, the component of total linear momentum is conserved. Since the force vanishes in this direction, it means that the component of momentum in the direction of vanishing force is conserved.



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Cross-references: relation, vector, velocity, position vector, mass, momentum

This is version 1 of conservation of linear momentum, born on 2006-07-20.
Object id is 203, canonical name is ConservationOfLinearMomentum.
Accessed 1577 times total.

Classification:
Physics Classification: 45.50.-j (Dynamics and kinematics of a particle and a system of particles)
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