if an object is moving at a constant speed, and it moves round the corner, therefore changes direction, does the momentum change?
If it does/doesn't, why?
If it does/doesn't, why?
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Momentum is a vector, and yes, when you run around a corner, or a car rounds a curve, the momentum changes even though the speed may remain constant.
A system conserves momentum, so the change has to come from somewhere. It comes from the earth. Take a simple case of a locomotive rounding a curve. The flanges push hard on the outside rail as it rounds the curve. The rail pushes back, and this force causes the change in velocity and the change in momentum.
The rail pushes on the earth, which pushes back. That's from a force point of view. From a momentum point of view, the earth gains a momentum in the opposite direction. But since the mass is so much larger than the locomotive, the velocity change is much smaller. That change gets lost in the noise of all the other changes in momentum across the world, essentially they all average out to zero.
A system conserves momentum, so the change has to come from somewhere. It comes from the earth. Take a simple case of a locomotive rounding a curve. The flanges push hard on the outside rail as it rounds the curve. The rail pushes back, and this force causes the change in velocity and the change in momentum.
The rail pushes on the earth, which pushes back. That's from a force point of view. From a momentum point of view, the earth gains a momentum in the opposite direction. But since the mass is so much larger than the locomotive, the velocity change is much smaller. That change gets lost in the noise of all the other changes in momentum across the world, essentially they all average out to zero.
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If its moving at a constant speed, the momentum will be constant. Momentum = Mass x Speed.
Mass will be constant as well.
Mass will be constant as well.