Chapter 8, Problem 19A

Is momentum conserved for colliding objects that are moving at angles to one another? Explain.

To determine

To identify:Whether the momentum is conserved for colliding objects that are moving at angles to one another.

Answer to Problem 19A

Yes, the momentum is conserved.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

As per the law of conservation, the momentum of a system will remain unchanged provided no external force will be present. Consider the collision of two objects in the absence of external forces, the net momentum of these objects remains same before and after the collision. The expression for the net momentum as follows:

  ${\text{net momentum}}_{\text{before collision}}={\text{net momentum}}_{\text{after collision}}$

The momentum is conserved even if the interacting objects does not move along the same straight line. Momentum is a vector quantity. The sum of momentum vectors will remains same before and after a collision. So, the momentum of colliding objects will remains unchanged when the objects are at angles to one another.

Conclusion:

Thus, the momentum of colliding objects is conserved.