Question

Question #b4da9

Answer 1

The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that for a closed system, the total momentum is constant.

[Closed system is one which does not exchange matter with external surroundings, and where no external force acts on the system.]

Considering a two particle system with particles of masses `m_1` and `m_2` moving with initial velocities (before colliding) `u_1` and `u_2` and final velocities `v_1` and `v_2` respectively.

Summarising it:

Masses -- Initial Velocities -- Final Velocities
`m_1 ---- u_1 ---- v_1`
`m_2 ---- u_2 ---- v_2`

Then, by law of conservation of momentum,
`m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2`

This will hold true for a multiple particle system as well.