- #1
Bengo
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Homework Statement
I don't understand how momentum is conserved in Newtons cradle. If I look at the component vectors for the initial ball on the left that I raise, one component points down and one points to the right but then looking at the vector components on the ball that moves on the right end, it has one component up and one component to the right. The horizontal components are conserved but the vertical components aren't.
Homework Equations
M1v1i + m2v2i = m1v1f + m2v2f for x and y components
The Attempt at a Solution
I think the vertical component of momentum is not conserved due to gravity?