This animation shows the collision of two asteroids and an analysis of the total
momentum before and after the collision. Since the two total momenta are identical we can
say that momentum is conserved. |
- Calculate the momentum (m·v) of each object.
- Use trig functions and the given angles to calculate X and Y
components of the momenta.
- Compare the total momentum in the X direction before and after the
interaction (collision, explosion, attraction, repulsion).
- Combine the X components of the momenta before the collision (
 )
- Combine the X components of the momenta after the collision (
 )
- They should be equal in magnitude and direction
- Compare the total momentum in the X direction before and after the interaction
(collision, explosion, attraction, repulsion).
- Combine the Y components of the momenta before the collision (
 )
- Combine the Y components of the momenta after the collision (
 )
- They should be equal in magnitude and direction
- By comparing the X and Y components you have already shown that momentum is
conserved but you could go one step farther and compare the magnitude and direction of the
total momentum vectors before and after the collision. If they are identical then
momentum is conserved.
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