Answer to Question #141193 in Mechanics | Relativity for fjiuyh

Question

Define linear momentum and state the principle of conservation of linear momentum. Explain briefly how you would attempt to verify this principle by experiment.

Answer 1

Classical definition of linear momentum is as follows:Linear Momentum of a object of mass M moving with linear velocity V is defined as

$$\vec{P}=M\vec{V}$$

For a composite system Linear Momentum is vector sum of respective momenta of constituents.

$$\vec{P}= \sum{M_i\vec{V_i}}$$

Conservation of linear Momentum:This principal states that for an Isolated system, total Linear Momentum of the system remains conserved. For example: in collision, Total Linear momentum before and after the collision is same.
Experimental verification:We can assemble a system of two Trolley Cars with rolling wheels on the same track. Making one trolley at rest and give impulse to other one toward the trolley at rest. Moving Trolley collides with Trolley at rest and after collision we see that moving one become at rest and the trolley at rest starts moving with same velocity as the first one was moving. Velocity measurement can be done using detector.