Physics › Section F · Momentum and collisions › Topic F.2
Conservation of momentum
When objects push, pull or crash only on each other, the momentum one gains is exactly the momentum the other loses. That makes total momentum one of the most useful conserved quantities in physics, from recoiling rifles to exploding fireworks.
In this topic
- Momentum that does not go away
- Systems, internal and external forces
- Why total momentum is conserved
- The law in words and its limits
- Conservation component by component
- Recoil and pushing apart
- Worked example: a rifle's recoil
- Explosions
- Worked example: a firework shell
- The centre of mass keeps going
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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