What is the law of conservation of linear momentum?

The law of conservation of linear momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant.

In physics, momentum is defined as the product of an object's mass and velocity. Linear momentum refers to momentum in a straight line. The law of conservation of linear momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant if there are no external forces acting on the system. This means that the momentum of an object before a collision is equal to the momentum of the same object after the collision.

Mathematically, the law of conservation of linear momentum can be expressed as:

p1 + p2 = p1' + p2'

where p1 and p2 are the momenta of two objects before a collision, and p1' and p2' are the momenta of the same objects after the collision. This equation is based on the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a system is conserved.

The law of conservation of linear momentum is a fundamental principle in physics and is used to explain many phenomena, such as collisions between objects and the motion of rockets and satellites. It is also used in engineering and design to ensure that systems are designed to conserve momentum and prevent accidents or failures.