Chapter 6: Linear Momentum and Collisions
Glossary
6.1 Linear Momentum and Force
- linear momentum
- the product of mass and velocity
- second law of motion
- physical law that states that the net external force equals the change in momentum of a system divided by the time over which it changes
6.2 Impulse
- change in momentum
- the difference between the final and initial momentum; the mass times the change in velocity
- impulse
- the average net external force times the time it acts; equal to the change in momentum
6.3 Conservation of Momentum
- conservation of momentum principle
- when the net external force is zero, the total momentum of the system is conserved or constant
- isolated system
- a system in which the net external force is zero
- quark
- fundamental constituent of matter and an elementary particle
6.4 Elastic Collisions in One Dimension
- elastic collision
- a collision that also conserves internal kinetic energy
- internal kinetic energy
- the sum of the kinetic energies of the objects in a system
6.5 Inelastic Collisions in One Dimension
- inelastic collision
- a collision in which internal kinetic energy is not conserved
- perfectly inelastic collision
- a collision in which the colliding objects stick together