Question and Answers Forum

All Questions      Topic List

Mechanics Questions

Previous in All Question      Next in All Question      

Previous in Mechanics      Next in Mechanics      

Question Number 114158 by aurpeyz last updated on 17/Sep/20

Answered by aurpeyz last updated on 17/Sep/20

i am confused about the direction of the   momentum. pls help

$${i}\:{am}\:{confused}\:{about}\:{the}\:{direction}\:{of}\:{the}\: \\ $$$${momentum}.\:{pls}\:{help} \\ $$

Answered by physicstutes last updated on 17/Sep/20

Since p = mv , the direction of the velocity will be the same  as the direction of the momentum.   If we choose the right direction as positive then clearly after collision   with the wall, the momentum will be negative. [if your figures  are correct i.e the law of conservation of linear momentum hold].

$$\mathrm{Since}\:\boldsymbol{\mathrm{p}}\:=\:{m}\boldsymbol{\mathrm{v}}\:,\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{direction}\:\mathrm{of}\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{velocity}\:\mathrm{will}\:\mathrm{be}\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{same} \\ $$$$\mathrm{as}\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{direction}\:\mathrm{of}\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{momentum}.\: \\ $$$$\mathrm{If}\:\mathrm{we}\:\mathrm{choose}\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{right}\:\mathrm{direction}\:\mathrm{as}\:\mathrm{positive}\:\mathrm{then}\:\mathrm{clearly}\:\mathrm{after}\:\mathrm{collision}\: \\ $$$$\mathrm{with}\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{wall},\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{momentum}\:\mathrm{will}\:\mathrm{be}\:\mathrm{negative}.\:\left[\mathrm{if}\:\mathrm{your}\:\mathrm{figures}\right. \\ $$$$\left.\mathrm{are}\:\mathrm{correct}\:\mathrm{i}.\mathrm{e}\:\mathrm{the}\:\mathrm{law}\:\mathrm{of}\:\mathrm{conservation}\:\mathrm{of}\:\mathrm{linear}\:\mathrm{momentum}\:\mathrm{hold}\right]. \\ $$

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Contact: info@tinkutara.com