In a collision, what dictates if momentum is conserved?

In a collision, what dictates if momentum is conserved?

• A. The presence of external forces
• B. The types of materials involved
• C. The total mass of the colliding objects
• D. The absence of external forces

Answer: (D)

Momentum is a vector quantity that is conserved in a closed system where no external forces are acting. This principle is rooted in Newton's laws of motion, specifically the law of conservation of momentum, which states that in an isolated system (one not influenced by external forces), the total momentum before the collision will equal the total momentum after the collision. When considering a collision, if external forces are present, they can alter the overall momentum of the system. For example, if two objects collide while experiencing a significant external force like friction or air resistance, the momentum of the system may not be conserved as those forces contribute to a change in momentum. In contrast, if the system is isolated from these external influences, the internal interactions between the colliding objects will result in a conservation of momentum. This is evident in many physics problems involving collisions, where analyzing a system devoid of external interference allows for clear calculations of momentum before and after the event. Thus, the key determinant of momentum conservation during a collision is the absence of external forces acting on the system.

Momentum is a vector quantity that is conserved in a closed system where no external forces are acting. This principle is rooted in Newton's laws of motion, specifically the law of conservation of momentum, which states that in an isolated system (one not influenced by external forces), the total momentum before the collision will equal the total momentum after the collision.

When considering a collision, if external forces are present, they can alter the overall momentum of the system. For example, if two objects collide while experiencing a significant external force like friction or air resistance, the momentum of the system may not be conserved as those forces contribute to a change in momentum.

In contrast, if the system is isolated from these external influences, the internal interactions between the colliding objects will result in a conservation of momentum. This is evident in many physics problems involving collisions, where analyzing a system devoid of external interference allows for clear calculations of momentum before and after the event.

Thus, the key determinant of momentum conservation during a collision is the absence of external forces acting on the system.