Momentum Conservation in an Accelerating Coordinate System

Therefore, the first and second laws of Newton are not valid in this coordinate system. In summary, the law of conservation of momentum is not valid in this coordinate system due to the acceleration during the collision.
  • #1
Karol
1,380
22

Homework Statement


A ball of mass m travels with speed v, hits a stationary ball with the same mass m and after collision they both move at speed v/2.
From the point of view of the first ball the total momentum is -mv and after the collision it is 0. why isn't the law of conservation of momentum valid for this coordinate system?

Homework Equations


The first and second laws of Newton, F=ma and that a body is at rest while no forces act on it are valid in all coordinate systems moving at constant speed.

The Attempt at a Solution


The coordinate system has acceleration during the collision so F=ma isn't valid. i don't know to continue from here and i guess it's the right answer, no?
 
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  • #2
Sounds good to me. The coordinate system attached to the first ball is not an inertial reference frame.
 

FAQ: Momentum Conservation in an Accelerating Coordinate System

What is momentum conservation in an accelerating coordinate system?

Momentum conservation in an accelerating coordinate system is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the total momentum of a system remains constant in the presence of an external force. This means that the total momentum of all objects in the system, including the system itself, will remain unchanged unless acted upon by an external force.

How is momentum conserved in an accelerating coordinate system?

Momentum is conserved in an accelerating coordinate system because the external force acting on the system is equal and opposite to the change in momentum of the system. This means that any changes in momentum of individual objects within the system will be offset by changes in momentum of other objects, resulting in a constant total momentum for the system.

What is the difference between momentum and velocity in an accelerating coordinate system?

Momentum is a measure of an object's mass and velocity combined, while velocity is simply a measure of the speed and direction of an object. In an accelerating coordinate system, the velocity of an object may change due to the acceleration of the coordinate system, but the momentum will remain constant as long as there are no external forces acting on the system.

Can momentum be conserved in a non-inertial reference frame?

Yes, momentum can still be conserved in a non-inertial reference frame, such as an accelerating coordinate system. This is because the principle of momentum conservation is independent of the reference frame, as long as the reference frame is inertial (i.e. not accelerating or rotating).

How does momentum conservation in an accelerating coordinate system apply to real-world situations?

Momentum conservation in an accelerating coordinate system is a crucial concept in understanding many real-world phenomena, such as rocket propulsion, collisions in moving vehicles, and the motion of objects in non-inertial reference frames. It allows us to predict the behavior of objects in dynamic systems and is essential in many areas of science and engineering.

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