Newtonian World

Question 1

1. Explain how the principle of conservation of momentum is a natural consequence of Newton’s laws of motion (3 marks)

Answer 1

• When two objects interact, the force acting on one of the objects is equal but opposite to the force on the other object (3rd law)
• The time of contact between the objects is the same since momentum = force x time
• The gain in momentum for one object is equal to the loss in momentum for the other

Question 2

2. Linear momentum is a vector quantity. Explain why. (2 marks)

Answer 2

• Vector has magnitude and direction
• Velocity is a vector
• A product of a scalar and vector is a vector