Conservation of energy and momentum

In summary, the conversation discusses the practical application of the principles of energy and momentum and how they relate to environmental and societal impacts. It is mentioned that one could use energy to describe occurrences that are separated by distance and momentum for occurrences separated by time. Examples are given for both, including using energy to determine the potential and kinetic energy in a hydroelectric facility and using momentum to solve a collision problem.
  • #1
SammyV
Hey if anyone can help me figure out a practical application that applies the principles of energy and momentum it would be greatly appreciated. It also has to have some environmental or impact on society.
 
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  • #2
SammyV said:
Hey if anyone can help me figure out a practical application that applies the principles of energy and momentum it would be greatly appreciated. It also has to have some environmental or impact on society.

Everything fits those requirements if you think hard enough about the connections.
 
  • #3
Generally, one would use energy to describe two occurrences that are separated by distance, while moment would apply to two occurrences that are separated by time if that makes sense.

For instance, when considering the amount of energy converted by a single generator in an impoundment hydroelectric facility one would: 1. develop an equation for the mass of water (vol x density) and use it to determine the potential energy of a volume of water entering the penstock. 2. use the PE to find the kinetic energy at the outlet of the penstock (being careful to account for the fact that the penstock is at an angle). 3. use KE to find energy imparted to the generator. obviously, this is an over-simplified example but i think it will help.

Momentum, on the other hand, would be used to solve such problems as: a billiard ball has mass m and moves with a velocity v and hits the object ball at an angle of 30 degrees, what is the velocity of the object ball after the collision?
 

FAQ: Conservation of energy and momentum

What is the principle of conservation of energy and momentum?

The principle of conservation of energy and momentum states that in a closed system, the total amount of energy and momentum remains constant over time. This means that energy and momentum cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transferred from one form to another.

Why is conservation of energy and momentum important?

Conservation of energy and momentum is important because it is a fundamental law of physics that governs the behavior of all physical systems. It allows us to make accurate predictions and calculations about the motion and interactions of objects in the universe.

How is conservation of energy and momentum applied in real life?

Conservation of energy and momentum is applied in a wide range of real-life situations, such as the movement of objects in space, the trajectory of a projectile, and the collision of billiard balls. It is also important in fields like engineering, where it is used to design efficient machines and structures.

Can conservation of energy and momentum be violated?

No, conservation of energy and momentum is a fundamental law of physics and has been extensively tested and proven to hold true in all physical systems. While it may appear to be violated in some situations, it is often due to our limited understanding or measurement errors.

How is conservation of energy and momentum related to other laws of physics?

Conservation of energy and momentum is closely related to other laws of physics, such as Newton's laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation. It is also linked to the concept of time symmetry, which states that the laws of physics remain the same regardless of the direction of time.

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