What is the definition of center-of-mass velocity?

The velocity of the system's center of mass.

Flip to see [answer/question]
Flip to see [answer/question]

All Flashcards

What is the definition of center-of-mass velocity?

The velocity of the system's center of mass.

What is the formula for center-of-mass velocity?

vcm=pmv_{cm} = \frac{\sum \vec{p}}{\sum m} where p\sum \vec{p} is the sum of all individual object momenta and m\sum m is the total mass of the system.

What is the definition of total system momentum?

Sum of all individual momenta in a system.

Define impulse.

Impulse (jj) is the change in momentum (Δp\Delta p) of a system: j=Δpj = \Delta p

What is the key idea behind momentum changes within systems when no external forces act?

Any change in momentum for one object is balanced by an equal and opposite change in momentum for another object (Newton's Third Law).

What is the relationship between impulse and momentum?

Impulse is equal to the change in momentum: j=Δpj = \Delta p

What is the effect of an external force acting on a system?

The change in momentum of the system will equal the impulse of that force.

What happens when the net external force on a system is zero?

The total momentum of that system stays constant.

What is the effect of impulse on momentum?

Impulse causes a change in momentum.

What is the effect of a net external force acting on a system?

The total momentum of the system changes; momentum is transferred between the system and its surroundings.

What happens when two objects collide in a closed system?

Momentum is transferred between the objects such that the total momentum of the system remains constant.

What is the effect of an impulse on an object?

The object's momentum changes by an amount equal to the impulse: J=Δp\vec{J} = \Delta \vec{p}

What is the effect of an explosion within a closed system?

The total momentum of the system remains zero (if it was initially at rest), with the individual components moving in opposite directions to conserve momentum.

What happens if the kinetic energy is conserved during a collision?

The collision is classified as elastic.