Conservation of Momentum: Principles and Calculations

The video tutorial explains the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that in a closed system, the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event. It defines key terms like 'closed system' and 'event' and illustrates the principle with two examples involving trolleys. The first example shows a simple collision where one trolley is initially stationary, and the second example involves both trolleys moving before the collision. The tutorial demonstrates how to calculate the velocity after collisions using the conservation of momentum.

What does the principle of conservation of momentum state?

• Total momentum before an event is greater than total momentum after the event.

• Momentum is always decreasing in a closed system.

• Total momentum before an event is equal to total momentum after the event in a closed system.

• Momentum is always increasing in a closed system.

What is the significance of a closed system in the context of momentum conservation?

• It decreases the total momentum of the system.

• It increases the total momentum of the system.

• It ensures that no external forces affect the total momentum.

• It allows external forces to act on the system.

In the first example, what is the initial momentum of the 0.5 kg trolley moving at 6 m/s?

• 0.5 kg m/s

• 6.0 kg m/s

• 3.0 kg m/s

• 12.0 kg m/s

After the collision in the first example, what is the combined velocity of the trolleys?

• 3.0 m/s

• 4.0 m/s

• 1.5 m/s

• 2.0 m/s

In the second example, what is the total momentum before the collision?

• 5.0 kg m/s

• 7.0 kg m/s

• 9.0 kg m/s

• 6.0 kg m/s

What is the combined velocity of the trolleys after the collision in the second example?

• 3.5 m/s

• 4.7 m/s

• 5.0 m/s

• 2.5 m/s

What is the total mass of the two trolleys combined in both examples?

• 1.0 kg

• 2.0 kg

• 1.5 kg

• 2.5 kg