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💥 Momentum and Collisions

Learn how system boundaries, signed velocity, and external impulse determine whether momentum is conserved in a collision.

lessons

~5 min

to learn

🔬 Science

subject

Adults

level

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What you’ll learn

Choose the SystemChoose a system boundary and write a signed momentum balance.Momentum is a vector, and internal collision impulses cancel only within the system you selected.
Test the ResultDistinguish external impulse from internal forces and check a collision result.Use impulse, kinetic energy, limiting cases, and signs to test whether a momentum calculation makes physical sense.

Questions this course answers

What must be chosen first?

Conservation depends on which objects and external impulses are included.

What sign does velocity carry?

A chosen axis gives velocity its positive or negative direction.

When is kinetic energy conserved?

Elasticity specifies kinetic-energy conservation.

What changes total system momentum?

External impulse changes the system total.

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