Conservation of Momentum Calculator
Solve for unknown velocities in two-body collisions.
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Enter the masses and initial velocities of both objects, then choose which final velocity to solve for. Provide the known final velocity. The calculator uses conservation of momentum to find the unknown velocity.
About Conservation of Momentum
Conservation of momentum is one of the fundamental principles of physics. In any closed system, the total momentum (mass times velocity) remains constant. This principle is used to analyze collisions, rocket propulsion, recoil, and many other physical interactions. For two colliding objects, m1v1i + m2v2i = m1v1f + m2v2f. This calculator solves for any one unknown velocity given the other values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is conservation of momentum?
In any closed system with no external forces, the total momentum before an event equals the total momentum after. This applies to collisions, explosions, and any interaction between objects.
What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?
In elastic collisions, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. In inelastic collisions, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not. A perfectly inelastic collision is one where objects stick together.
Can momentum be negative?
Yes. Momentum is a vector quantity. Negative momentum means the object moves in the negative direction. In collision problems, direction matters.