The conservation of momentum is a fundamental law in physics that states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant, regardless of any internal or external forces acting on it. This means that in a collision or explosion, the total momentum of the objects before and after the event must be equal.
Momentum is conserved in a collision because of the law of action and reaction. When two objects collide, the forces they exert on each other are equal and opposite. This means that the total momentum of the system remains constant, even if the individual momenta of the objects change.
In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved. This means that the objects bounce off each other and no energy is lost in the form of heat or sound. In an inelastic collision, some of the kinetic energy is lost due to deformation or other factors, resulting in a decrease in the total momentum of the system.
The conservation of momentum has many practical applications, such as in sports, transportation, and engineering. For example, the recoil of a gun is a result of the conservation of momentum, and the design of cars and other vehicles takes into account the conservation of momentum to ensure safety in collisions.
No, the conservation of momentum is a fundamental law of physics and has been consistently observed in countless experiments. However, it may appear to be violated in certain situations if external forces or factors are not taken into account, such as friction or air resistance.