Physical meaning of momentum equation

In summary, Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the rate of change of momentum of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it, as long as the mass remains constant. This means that the greater the force applied, the greater the acceleration of the object, and the greater the mass of the object, the smaller the acceleration will be for a given force. This law helps us understand the relationship between force, mass, acceleration, and momentum in real-life applications.
  • #1
venky56
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could anyone explain me the Newton's second law of motion in detail?

It tells that rate of change of momentum is equal to force applied. what does it physically mean in real applications? is it like force is causing the change in momentum or is it like if there is a change in momentum, a force will be applied!

what is it really that makes the force be applied on one body?
Energy, Force, motion, momentum...how r these concepts related?

Plz don't mind even if i am not thinking in correct direction! i want to learn
 
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  • #2
Another way of stating Newton's Second law is that the acceleration (rate of change of velocity) of a particular object is directly proportional to the force applied (providing the mass doesn't change). When I refer to force I mean overall Net force (remember there may be a number of different forces acting in different directions)

Force = Mass x Acceleration
(*I have shown how this is equivalent to rate of change of momentum at the bottom)

This means that if a net force is applied to a body it will accelerate. It also follows that if a body is accelerating a net force must be acting on it (**Note, here acceleration is just a change in velocity and could mean speeding up or slowing down) There are two consequences of this:

1. If you double the mass of a body and apply a particular force you will only get half the acceleration. Imagine loading up a supermarket trolly- you know from experience that the more goods (the greater the mass) the greater the force is needed to get it moving! On the other hand, a car that is loaded up with passangers will have a much greater stopping distance because the force of the breaks produces a smaller acceleration (deceleration) on the bigger mass.

2. If you double the applied net force (on a particular mass) the you will get double the acceleration. This is why it is better to have 3 people pushing your car when it breaks down, rather than one! Or if you increase the breaking force by getting new breaks, the car will accelerate (decelerate!) much more rapidly- greater force on a mass means greater acceleration (be it speeding up or slowing down).

I admire your willingness to learn. Does this help?



*This shows how the force = rate of change of momentum is mathematically equivalent to the equation force = mass x acceleration:
(1) Momentum (kgm/s) = mass(kg) x velocity(m/s)
For a body of fixed mass we can say
(2) Rate of change of momentum (kgm/s/s) = mass(kg) x change in velocity(m/s) / time(s)
However,
(3)Acceleration(m/s/s) = change velocity(m/s) / time(s)
Therefore
Force (or rate of change of momentum) = Mass (kg) x acceleration (m/s/s)
 
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  • #3


The momentum equation, also known as the Newton's second law of motion, is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. It states that the rate of change of an object's momentum is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object and occurs in the direction of the force. In simpler terms, this means that a force applied to an object will cause a change in its momentum, either by increasing or decreasing its speed or direction of motion.

In real-world applications, the momentum equation is used to understand and predict the behavior of objects in motion. For example, when a car collides with another car, the force of the impact causes a change in the momentum of the cars, leading to a change in their speed and direction.

The physical meaning of the momentum equation is that it describes the relationship between force and motion. Force is the cause of changes in momentum, and momentum is a measure of an object's motion. In other words, the momentum equation explains how and why objects move and how forces affect their motion.

The concepts of energy, force, motion, and momentum are all interconnected and play a crucial role in understanding the behavior of physical systems. Energy is the ability to do work, and forces are what cause changes in energy or motion. Motion is the result of forces acting on objects, and momentum is a measure of that motion. Therefore, these concepts are all related and help us to understand the underlying principles of the physical world.

It is important to continue learning and exploring these concepts, as they are fundamental to understanding the behavior of the world around us. Don't worry if you feel you are not thinking in the correct direction, as long as you are curious and willing to learn, you will continue to deepen your understanding of these concepts.
 

FAQ: Physical meaning of momentum equation

What is momentum in physics?

Momentum is a physical quantity that measures the motion of an object. It is defined as the product of an object's mass and velocity.

What is the momentum equation?

The momentum equation, also known as the Newton's second law of motion, states that the net force acting on an object is equal to the change in momentum over time.

What is the physical meaning of the momentum equation?

The physical meaning of the momentum equation is that the force acting on an object will cause a change in its momentum. This change can be an increase or decrease in velocity or a change in direction.

How is momentum conserved in a closed system?

In a closed system, the total momentum before an event or interaction is equal to the total momentum after the event or interaction. This is known as the principle of conservation of momentum.

How is momentum related to kinetic energy?

Momentum and kinetic energy are both measures of an object's motion, but they are not the same. Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, while momentum is a measure of the object's motion itself.

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