Conservation of momentum question

In summary, the conversation discusses the conservation of momentum in a system consisting of a woman and a rock on a frictionless, horizontal sheet of ice. The question is whether the momentum of the system is conserved and if any components of the momentum are conserved. It is determined that there is no loss of momentum due to the absence of external forces, but the normal force acting on the woman does change as she throws the rock, leading to a change in the vertical component of their combined momentum. It is also noted that gravity, as an external force, also affects the conservation of momentum.
  • #1
overtak3n
27
0
Hello, can someone explain to me this question:

A woman holding a large rock stands on a frictionless, horizontal
sheet of ice. She throws the rock with speed Vo at an angle α
above the horizontal. Consider the system consisting of the woman
plus the rock. Is the momentum of the system conserved? Why or
why not? Is any component of the momentum of the system conserved?
Again, why or why not?

The way I understand it is there is no loss in momentum since there are no external forces. No?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
What about the normal force acting on the woman.
 
  • #3
I believe the normal force changes as she throws the rock, so the vertical component changes?
 
  • #4
Yes. This component of their combined momentum will change.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
  • #5
Does gravity working on the rock also indicate that the vertical component isn't conserved?
 
  • #6
Yes it is also an external force as far as the system is concerned. It is a force that originates from something that is not part of the system.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
  • #7
Okay, thanks for the help!
 

Related to Conservation of momentum question

1. What is conservation of momentum?

Conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant over time, meaning that the total amount of momentum before and after a collision or interaction must be equal.

2. Why is conservation of momentum important?

Conservation of momentum is important because it helps us understand and predict the motion of objects in various interactions, such as collisions. It is also a fundamental law of nature that has been observed and tested countless times, providing a solid foundation for many areas of physics and engineering.

3. How is momentum conserved in a collision?

In a collision between two objects, the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This means that the sum of the mass and velocity of each object remains constant, even if they may change individually. This principle is known as the law of conservation of momentum.

4. Does conservation of momentum apply to all types of collisions?

Yes, conservation of momentum applies to all types of collisions, including elastic (where kinetic energy is conserved) and inelastic (where kinetic energy is not conserved) collisions. In both cases, the total momentum of the system remains constant.

5. How is conservation of momentum related to Newton's Third Law?

Conservation of momentum is closely related to Newton's Third Law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In a collision, the two objects involved exert equal and opposite forces on each other, resulting in a conservation of momentum in the system.

Similar threads

Spring momentum conservation problem
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
886
Angular momentum for a bullet and a rod attached to a ceiling
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
225
Angular momentum conservation on a merry-go-round
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
221
Choosing what consists of a "system" in Newton's laws of motion
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
28
Views
1K
Is 2D Conservation of Momentum Possible? A Visual Analysis
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
Kepler's Third Law vs Conservation of angular momentum
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
A question regarding energy and momentum conservation
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
2K
Conditions for conservation of momentum
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
Conservation of momentum (center of mass) in projectile launches
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
15
Views
346
Question involving the conservation of momentum
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top