Momentum

	H	*Momentum*
H
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			When a particle with mass m moves with velocity v, we define its momentum p, as p = mv


		Momentum is a Vector



		The total momentum of a system is constant whenever the vector sum of the external forces on the system is zero. In particular, the total momentum of an isolated system is constant.
			Conservation of Momentum is true in all dimensions



		*Elastic and Inelastic Collisions*
			Momentum is always conserved. Kinetic Energy is not necessarily conserved in all collisions.


		An Inelastic Collision - Animation
				*The Ballistic Pendulum* click on the diagram to the right


		The time that the Force is applied. . . an important approximation

		An applied force acting on a particle may vary in time. The impulse imparted to the particle by the applied force is the area under the curve. In the time interval t, the time-averaged force gives the same impulse to the particle as does the time varying applied force.
		How does the time of the collision relate to the Force of the collision?