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Title page of the 1st edition of Newton's work defining the laws of motion.
Title page of the 1st edition of Newton's work defining the laws of motion. Classical mechanics is used for describing the motion of Macroscopic objects from Projectiles to parts of Machinery, as well as Astronomical objects Newton's laws of motion are three Physical laws which provide relationships between the Forces acting on a body and the motion of the Early Ideas on Motion The Greek philosophers, and Aristotle in particular were the first to propose that there are abstract principles governing nature Space is the extent within which Matter is physically extended and objects and Events have positions relative to one another For other uses see Time (disambiguation Time is a component of a measuring system used to sequence events to compare the durations of Mass is a fundamental concept in Physics, roughly corresponding to the Intuitive idea of how much Matter there is in an object In Physics, a force is whatever can cause an object with Mass to Accelerate. In Physics and other Sciences energy (from the Greek grc ἐνέργεια - Energeia, "activity operation" from grc ἐνεργός Newton's laws of motion are three Physical laws which provide relationships between the Forces acting on a body and the motion of the

In classical mechanics, momentum (pl. momenta; SI unit kg·m/s, or, equivalently, N·s) is the product of the mass and velocity of an object (p = mv). Classical mechanics is used for describing the motion of Macroscopic objects from Projectiles to parts of Machinery, as well as Astronomical objects Plural is a Grammatical number, typically referring to more than one of the Referent in the real world The newton (symbol N) is the SI derived unit of Force, named after Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on Classical The second ( SI symbol s) sometimes abbreviated sec, is the name of a unit of Time, and is the International System of Units Mass is a fundamental concept in Physics, roughly corresponding to the Intuitive idea of how much Matter there is in an object In Physics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of Position. For more accurate measures of momentum, see the section "modern definitions of momentum" on this page. In Classical mechanics, momentum ( pl momenta SI unit kg · m/s, or equivalently N · s) is the product It is sometimes referred to as linear momentum to distinguish it from the related subject of angular momentum. In Physics, the angular momentum of a particle about an origin is a vector quantity equal to the mass of the particle multiplied by the Cross product of the position Linear momentum is a vector quantity, since it has a direction as well as a magnitude. Angular momentum is a pseudovector quantity because it gains an additional sign flip under an improper rotation. In Physics and Mathematics, a pseudovector (or axial vector) is a quantity that transforms like a vector under a proper rotation but gains an In 3D Geometry, an improper rotation, also called rotoreflection or rotary reflection is depending on context a Linear transformation or The total momentum of any group of objects remains the same unless outside forces act on the objects.

Momentum is a conserved quantity, meaning that the total momentum of any closed system (one not affected by external forces) cannot change. In Physics, a conservation law states that a particular measurable property of an isolated Physical system does not change as the system evolves A Closed system is a System in the state of being isolated from the environment

Contents

History of the concept

The word for the general concept of mōmentum was used in the Roman Republic primarily to mean "a movement, motion (as an indwelling force . The Roman Republic was the phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by a Republican form of government a period which began with the overthrow of the . . ). " A fish was able to change velocity (velocitas) through the mōmentum of its tail. [1] The word is formed by an accretion of suffices on the stem of Latin movēre, "to move. In Grammar, a suffix (also postfix, ending) is an Affix which is placed at the end of a word Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. " A movi-men- is the result of the movēre just as frag-men- is the result of frangere, "to break. " Extension by -to- obtains mōvimentum and fragmentum, the former contracting to mōmentum. [2]

The mōmentum was not merely the motion, which was mōtus, but was the power residing in a moving object, captured by today's mathematical definitions. A mōtus, "movement", was a stage in any sort of change,[3] while velocitas, "swiftness", captured only speed. Speed is the rate of motion, or equivalently the rate of change in position often expressed as Distance d traveled per unit of The Romans, due to limitations inherent in the Roman numeral system, were unable to go further with the perception. Roman numerals are a Numeral system originating in ancient Rome, adapted from Etruscan numerals.

The concept of momentum in classical mechanics was originated by a number of great thinkers and experimentalists. The first of these was Ibn Sina (Avicenna) circa 1000, who referred to impetus as proportional to weight times velocity. TemplateInfobox Muslim scholars --> ( Persian /ابو علی الحسین ابن عبدالله ابن سینا (born The theory of impetus was an antiquated auxiliary or secondary theory of Aristotelian dynamics, put forth initially to explain Projectile motion against Gravity In the Physical sciences weight is a Measurement of the gravitational Force acting on an object In Physics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of Position. [4] René Descartes later referred to mass times velocity as the fundamental force of motion. Galileo in his Two New Sciences used the Italian word "impeto. Galileo Galilei (15 February 1564 &ndash 8 January 1642 was a Tuscan ( Italian) Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, and Philosopher The Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations Relating to Two New Sciences ( Discorsi e dimostrazioni matematiche intorno a due nuove scienze, 1638 was Galileo's Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. "

The question has been much debated as to what Sir Isaac Newton's contribution to the concept was. Sir Isaac Newton, FRS (ˈnjuːtən 4 January 1643 31 March 1727) Biography Early years See also Isaac Newton's early life and achievements Apparently nothing, except to state more fully and with better mathematics what was already known. The first and second of Newton's Laws of Motion had already been stated by John Wallis in his 1670 work, Mechanica slive De Motu, Tractatus Geometricus: "the initial state of the body, either of rest or of motion, will persist" and "If the force is greater than the resistance, motion will result. Newton's laws of motion are three Physical laws which provide relationships between the Forces acting on a body and the motion of the John Wallis ( November 23, 1616 - October 28, 1703) was an English mathematician who is given partial credit for the . . . "[5] Wallis uses momentum and vis for force.

Newton's "Mathematical Principles of Natural History" when it first came out in 1686 showed a similar casting around for words to use for the mathematical momentum. His Definition II[6] defines quantitas motus, "quantity of motion," as "arising from the velocity and quantity of matter conjointly", which identifies it as momentum. [7] Thus when in Law II he refers to mutatio motus, "change of motion," being proportional to the force impressed, he is generally taken to mean momentum and not motion. [8]

It remained only to assign a standard term to the quantity of motion. The first use of "momentum" in its proper mathematical sense is not clear but by the time of Jenning's Miscellanea in 1721, four years before the final edition of Newton's Principia Mathematica, momentum M or "quantity of motion" was being defined for students as "a rectangle", the product of Q and V where Q is "quantity of material" and V is "velocity", s/t. [9]

Linear momentum of a particle

Newton's apple in Einstein's elevator, a frame of reference. In it the apple has no velocity or momentum; outside, it does.
Newton's apple in Einstein's elevator, a frame of reference. In it the apple has no velocity or momentum; outside, it does.

If an object is moving in any reference frame, then it has momentum in that frame. See also Inertial frame A frame of reference in Physics, may refer to a Coordinate system or set of axes within which to It is important to note that momentum is frame dependent. See also Inertial frame A frame of reference in Physics, may refer to a Coordinate system or set of axes within which to That is, the same object may have a certain momentum in one frame of reference, but a different amount in another frame. For example, a moving object has momentum in a reference frame fixed to a spot on the ground, while at the same time having 0 momentum in a reference frame attached to the object's center of mass.

The amount of momentum that an object has depends on two physical quantities: the mass and the velocity of the moving object in the frame of reference. Mass is a fundamental concept in Physics, roughly corresponding to the Intuitive idea of how much Matter there is in an object In Physics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of Position. See also Inertial frame A frame of reference in Physics, may refer to a Coordinate system or set of axes within which to In physics, the usual symbol for momentum is a small bold p (bold because it is a vector); so this can be written:

\mathbf{p}= m \mathbf{v}

where:

\ \mathbf{p} is the momentum
\ m is the mass
\ \mathbf{v} the velocity

Example: a model airplane of 1 kg travelling due north at 1 m/s in straight and level flight has a momentum of 1 kg m/s due north measured from the ground. To the dummy pilot in the cockpit it has a velocity and momentum of zero.

According to Newton's second law the rate of change of the momentum of a particle is proportional to the resultant force acting on the particle and is in the direction of that force. Newton's laws of motion are three Physical laws which provide relationships between the Forces acting on a body and the motion of the In the case of constant mass, and velocities much less than the speed of light, this definition results in the equation

\ \sum{\mathbf{F}} = {\mathrm{d}\mathbf{p} \over \mathrm{d}t} = {\mathrm{d}m \over \mathrm{d}t}\mathbf{v}+ {\mathrm{d}\mathbf{v} \over \mathrm{d}t}m=0+ {\mathrm{d}\mathbf{v} \over \mathrm{d}t}m = m\mathbf{a}

or just simply

\mathbf{F}= m \mathbf{a}

where F is understood to be the resultant.

Example: a model airplane of 1 kg accelerates from rest to a velocity of 1 m/s due north in 1 sec. The thrust required to produce this acceleration is 1 newton. The newton (symbol N) is the SI derived unit of Force, named after Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on Classical The change in momentum is 1 kg-m/sec. To the dummy pilot in the cockpit there is no change of momentum. Its pressing backward in the seat is a reaction to the unbalanced thrust, shortly to be balanced by the drag.

Linear momentum of a system of particles

Relating to mass and velocity

The linear momentum of a system of particles is the vector sum of the momenta of all the individual objects in the system.

\mathbf{P}= \sum_{i = 1}^n m_i \mathbf{v}_i = m_1 \mathbf{v}_1 + m_2 \mathbf{v}_2 + m_3 \mathbf{v}_3 + \cdots + m_n \mathbf{v}_n

where

\mathbf{P} is the momentum of the particle system
\ m_i is the mass of object i
\mathbf{v}_i the vector velocity of object i
\ n is the number of objects in the system

It can be shown that, in the center of mass frame the momentum of a system is zero. A center of momentum frame (or zero-momentum frame or COM frame of a system is any Inertial frame in which the Center of mass is at rest (has zero velocity Additionally, the momentum in a frame of reference that is moving at a velocity vcm with respect to that frame is simply:

\mathbf{P}= M\mathbf{v}_\text{cm}

where:

M=\sum_{i = 1}^n m_i.

Relating to force- General equations of motion

Motion of a material body
Motion of a material body

The linear momentum of a system of particles can also be defined as the product of the total mass \ M of the system times the velocity of the center of mass \mathbf{v}_{cm}

\ \sum{\mathbf{F}} = {\mathrm{d}\mathbf{P} \over \mathrm{d}t}= M \frac{\mathrm{d}\mathbf{v}_{cm}}{\mathrm{d}t}=M\mathbf{a}_{cm}

This is commonly known as Newton's second law. Newton's laws of motion are three Physical laws which provide relationships between the Forces acting on a body and the motion of the

For a more general derivation using tensors, we consider a moving body (see Figure), assumed as a continuum, occupying a volume \ V at a time \ t, having a surface area \ S, with defined traction or surface forces \ T_i^{(n)} acting on every point of the body surface, body forces \ F_i per unit of volume on every point within the volume \ V, and a velocity field \ v_i prescribed throughout the body. Continuum mechanics is a branch of Mechanics that deals with the analysis of the Kinematics and mechanical behavior of materials modeled as a continuum e Following the previous equation, The linear momentum of the system is:

\ \int_S T_i^{(n)}dS + \int_V F_i dV = \int_V \rho \frac{d v_i}{dt} \, dV

By definition the stress vector is \ T_i^{(n)} =\sigma_{ij}n_j, then

\ \int_S \sigma_{ij}n_j \, dS + \int_V F_i \, dV = \int_V \rho \frac{d v_i}{dt} \, dV

Using the Gauss's divergency theorem to convert a surface integral to a volume integral gives

\ \int_V \sigma_{ij,j} \, dV + \int_V F_i \, dV = \int_V \rho \frac{d v_i}{dt} \, dV
\ \int_V \sigma_{ij,j} + F_i \, dV = \int_V \rho \frac{d v_i}{dt} \, dV

For an arbitrary volume the integrand vanishes, and we have the Cauchy's equations of motion

\ \sigma_{ij,j} + F_i =  \rho \frac{d v_i}{dt}

If a system is in equilibrium, the change in momentum with respect to time is equal to 0, as there is no acceleration. Stress is a measure of the average amount of Force exerted per unit Area. In Vector calculus, the divergence theorem, also known as Gauss&rsquos theorem ( Carl Friedrich Gauss) Ostrogradsky&rsquos theorem ( Mikhail

\ \sum{\mathbf{F}} = {\mathrm{d}\mathbf{P} \over \mathrm{d}t}=\ M\mathbf{a}_{cm}= 0

or using tensors,

\ \sigma_{ij,j} + F_i = 0

These are the equilibrium equations which are used in solid mechanics for solving problems of linear elasticity. Solid mechanics is the branch of Mechanics, Physics, and Mathematics that concerns the behavior of solid matter under external actions (e Linear elasticity is the mathematical study of how solid objects deform and become internally stressed due to prescribed loading conditions In engineering notation, the equilibrium equations are expressed as

\frac{\partial \sigma_x}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial \tau_{yx}}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial \tau_{zx}}{\partial z} + F_x = 0
\frac{\partial \tau_{xy}}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial \sigma_y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial \tau_{zy}}{\partial z} + F_y = 0
\frac{\partial \tau_{xz}}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial \tau_{yz}}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial \sigma_z}{\partial z} + F_z = 0

Conservation of linear momentum

The law of conservation of linear momentum is a fundamental law of nature, and it states that the total momentum of a closed system of objects (which has no interactions with external agents) is constant. One of the consequences of this is that the center of mass of any system of objects will always continue with the same velocity unless acted on by a force from outside the system. In Physics the word system has a technical meaning namely it is the portion of the physical Universe chosen for analysis In Physics, a physical body (sometimes called simply a body or even an object) is a collection of Masses taken to be one

Conservation of momentum is a mathematical consequence of the homogeneity (shift symmetry) of space (position in space is the canonical conjugate quantity to momentum). For other uses see Homogeneous. In Physics, homogeneous mixtures are mixtures that have definite consistent composition and properties Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically-pleasing proportionality and balance such that it reflects beauty or In Physics, conjugate variables are pair of variables mathematically defined in such a way that they become Fourier transform duals of one-another So, momentum conservation can be philosophically stated as "nothing depends on location per se".

In an isolated system (one where external forces are absent) the total momentum will be constant: this is implied by Newton's first law of motion. The vis insita or innate force of matter is a power of resisting by which every body as much as in it lies endeavors to preserve in its present state whether it be of rest or of moving Newton's third law of motion, the law of reciprocal actions, which dictates that the forces acting between systems are equal in magnitude, but opposite in sign, is due to the conservation of momentum. Newton's laws of motion are three Physical laws which provide relationships between the Forces acting on a body and the motion of the

Since position in space is a vector quantity, momentum (being the canonical conjugate of position) is a vector quantity as well - it has direction. In Physics, conjugate variables are pair of variables mathematically defined in such a way that they become Fourier transform duals of one-another Thus, when a gun is fired, the final total momentum of the system (the gun and the bullet) is the vector sum of the momenta of these two objects. Assuming that the gun and bullet were at rest prior to firing (meaning the initial momentum of the system was zero), the final total momentum must also equal 0.

In an isolated system with only two objects, the change in momentum of one object must be equal and opposite to the change in momentum of the other object. Mathematically,

\Delta \mathbf{p}_1 = -\Delta \mathbf{p}_2

Momentum has the special property that, in a closed system, it is always conserved, even in collisions and separations caused by explosive forces. A Closed system is a System in the state of being isolated from the environment A collision is an isolated event in which two or more bodies (colliding bodies exert relatively strong forces on each other for a relatively short time Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is not conserved in collisions if they are inelastic. The kinetic energy of an object is the extra Energy which it possesses due to its motion Since momentum is conserved it can be used to calculate an unknown velocity following a collision or a separation if all the other masses and velocities are known.

A common problem in physics that requires the use of this fact is the collision of two particles. Since momentum is always conserved, the sum of the momenta before the collision must equal the sum of the momenta after the collision:

m_1 \mathbf u_{1} + m_2 \mathbf u_{2} = m_1 \mathbf v_{1} + m_2 \mathbf v_{2} \,

where:

u signifies vector velocity before the collision
v signifies vector velocity after the collision.

Usually, we either only know the velocities before or after a collision and would like to also find out the opposite. Correctly solving this problem means you have to know what kind of collision took place. There are two basic kinds of collisions, both of which conserve momentum:

Elastic collisions

A collision between two Pool balls is a good example of an almost totally elastic collision. Pocket billiards, most commonly referred to as pool, is the general term for a family of games played on a specific class of Billiards table, having 6 receptacles In addition to momentum being conserved when the two balls collide, the sum of kinetic energy before a collision must equal the sum of kinetic energy after:

\begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix} m_1 v_{1,i}^2 + \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix} m_2 v_{2,i}^2 = \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix} m_1 v_{1,f}^2 + \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix} m_2 v_{2,f}^2 \,

Since the 1/2 factor is common to all the terms, it can be taken out right away.

Head-on collision (1 dimensional)

In the case of two objects colliding head on we find that the final velocity

 v_{1,f} = \left( \frac{m_1 - m_2}{m_1 + m_2} \right) v_{1,i} + \left( \frac{2 m_2}{m_1 + m_2} \right) v_{2,i} \,
 v_{2,f} = \left( \frac{2 m_1}{m_1 + m_2} \right) v_{1,i} + \left( \frac{m_2 - m_1}{m_1 + m_2} \right) v_{2,i} \,

which can then easily be rearranged to

m_{1} \cdot v_{1,f} + m_{2} \cdot v_{2,f} = m_{1} \cdot v_{1,i} + m_{2} \cdot v_{2,i}\,

Special Case: m1>>m2

Now consider the case when the mass of one body, say m1, is far greater than that of the other, m2 (m1>>m2). In that case m1+m2 is approximately equal to m1 and m1-m2 is approximately equal to m1.

Using these approximations, the above formula for v2,f reduces to v2,f = 2v1,iv2,i. Its physical interpretation is that in the case of a collision between two bodies, one of which is much more massive than the other, the lighter body ends up moving in the opposite direction with twice the original speed of the more massive body.

Special Case: m1=m2

Another special case is when the collision is between two bodies of equal mass.

Say body m1 moving at velocity v1 strikes body m2 that is at rest (v2). Putting this case in the equation derived above we will see that after the collision, the body that was moving (m1) will start moving with velocity v2 and the mass m2 will start moving with velocity v1. So there will be an exchange of velocities.

Now suppose one of the masses, say m2, was at rest. In that case after the collision the moving body, m1, will come to rest and the body that was at rest, m2, will start moving with the velocity that m1 had before the collision.

Note that all of these observations are for an elastic collision. elastic collision is a collision in which the total Kinetic energy of the colliding bodies after collision is equal to their total kinetic energy before collision

This phenomenon is demonstrated by Newton's cradle, one of the best known examples of conservation of momentum, a real life example of this special case. Newton's cradle or Newton's balls, named after Sir Isaac Newton, is a device that demonstrates Conservation of momentum and energy.

Multi-dimensional collisions

In the case of objects colliding in more than one dimension, as in oblique collisions, the velocity is resolved into orthogonal components with one component perpendicular to the plane of collision and the other component or components in the plane of collision. The velocity components in the plane of collision remain unchanged, while the velocity perpendicular to the plane of collision is calculated in the same way as the one-dimensional case.

For example, in a two-dimensional collision, the momenta can be resolved into x and y components. We can then calculate each component separately, and combine them to produce a vector result. The magnitude of this vector is the final momentum of the isolated system.

See the elastic collision page for more details. elastic collision is a collision in which the total Kinetic energy of the colliding bodies after collision is equal to their total kinetic energy before collision x = 2a

Inelastic collisions

A common example of a perfectly inelastic collision is when two snowballs collide and then stick together afterwards. This equation describes the conservation of momentum:

m_1 \mathbf v_{1,i} + m_2 \mathbf v_{2,i} = \left( m_1 + m_2 \right) \mathbf v_f \,

It can be shown that a perfectly inelastic collision is one in which the maximum amount of kinetic energy is converted into other forms. The kinetic energy of an object is the extra Energy which it possesses due to its motion For instance, if both objects stick together after the collision and move with a final common velocity, one can always find a reference frame in which the objects are brought to rest by the collision and 100% of the kinetic energy is converted. This is true even in the relativistic case and utilized in particle accelerators to efficiently convert kinetic energy into new forms of mass-energy (i. In Physics, mass–energy equivalence is the concept that for particles slower than light any Mass has an associated Energy and vice versa. e. to create massive particles).

In case of Inelastic collision, there is a parameter attached called coefficient of restitution (denoted by small 'e' or 'c' in many text books). It is defined as the ratio of relative velocity of separation to relative velocity of approach. It is a ratio hence it is a dimensionless quantity.

When we have an elastic collision the value of e (= coefficient of restitution) is 1, i. e. the relative velocity of approach is same as the relative velocity of separation of the colliding bodies. In an elastic collision the Kinetic energy of the system is conserved.

When a collision is not elastic (e<1) it is an inelastic collision. In case of a perfectly inelastic collision the relative velocity of separation of the centre of masses of the colliding bodies is 0. Hence after collision the bodies stick together after collision. In case of an inelastic collision the loss of Kinetic energy is maximum as stated above.

In all types of collision if no external force is acting on the system of colliding bodies, the momentum will always be preserved.

Explosions

An explosion occurs when an object is divided into two or more fragments due to a release of energy. Note that kinetic energy in a system of explosion is not conserved because it involves energy transformation. (i. e. kinetic energy changes into heat and sound energy)

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/momentum/u4l2e.html

In the exploding cannon demonstration, total system momentum is conserved. The system consists of two objects - a cannon and a tennis ball. Before the explosion, the total momentum of the system is zero since the cannon and the tennis ball located inside of it are both at rest. After the explosion, the total momentum of the system must still be zero. If the ball acquires 50 units of forward momentum, then the cannon acquires 50 units of backwards momentum. The vector sum of the individual momenta of the two objects is 0. Total system momentum is conserved.

See the inelastic collision page for more details. An inelastic collision is a Collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved (see elastic collision)

Modern definitions of momentum

Momentum in relativistic mechanics

In relativistic mechanics, in order to be conserved, momentum must be defined as:

 \mathbf{p} = \gamma m_0\mathbf{v}

where

m_0\, is the invariant mass of the object moving,
 \gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^2}{c^2}}} is the Lorentz factor
v\, is the relative velocity between an object and an observer
c\, is the speed of light. The Lorentz factor or Lorentz term appears in several equations in Special relativity, including Time dilation, Length contraction, and the

Relativistic momentum can also be written as invariant mass times the object's proper velocity, defined as the rate of change of object position in the observer frame with respect to time elapsed on object clocks (i. Proper-velocity, the distance traveled per unit time elapsed on the clocks of a traveling object equals coordinate velocity at low speeds e. object proper time). In relativity, proper time is Time measured by a single Clock between events that occur at the same place as the clock Relativistic momentum becomes Newtonian momentum:  m\mathbf{v} at low speed  \big(\mathbf{v}/c \rightarrow 0 \big).

The diagram can serve as a useful mnemonic for remembering the above relations involving relativistic energy , invariant mass , and relativistic momentum . Please note that in the notation used by the diagram's creator, the invariant mass  is subscripted with a zero, .
The diagram can serve as a useful mnemonic for remembering the above relations involving relativistic energy E\,, invariant mass m_0\,, and relativistic momentum p\,. Please note that in the notation used by the diagram's creator, the invariant mass m\, is subscripted with a zero, m_0\,.

Relativistic four-momentum as proposed by Albert Einstein arises from the invariance of four-vectors under Lorentzian translation. In Special relativity, four-momentum is the generalization of the classical three-dimensional Momentum to four-dimensional Spacetime. Albert Einstein ( German: ˈalbɐt ˈaɪ̯nʃtaɪ̯n; English: ˈælbɝt ˈaɪnstaɪn (14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955 was a German -born theoretical In relativity, a four-vector is a vector in a four-dimensional real Vector space, called Minkowski space. The four-momentum is defined as:

\left( {E \over c} , p_x , p_y ,p_z \right)

where

p_x\, is the x\, component of the relativistic momentum,
E \, is the total energy of the system:
 E = \gamma m_0c^2 \,

The "length" of the vector is the mass times the speed of light, which is invariant across all reference frames:

(E/c)^2 - p^2 = (m_0c)^2\,

Momentum of massless objects

Objects without a rest mass, such as photons, also carry momentum. In Physics, the photon is the Elementary particle responsible for electromagnetic phenomena The formula is:

p = \frac{h}{\lambda} = \frac{E}{c}

where

h\, is Planck's constant,
\lambda\, is the wavelength of the photon,
E\, is the energy the photon carries and
c\, is the speed of light. The Planck constant (denoted h\ is a Physical constant used to describe the sizes of quanta. In Physics wavelength is the distance between repeating units of a propagating Wave of a given Frequency. In Physics and other Sciences energy (from the Greek grc ἐνέργεια - Energeia, "activity operation" from grc ἐνεργός

Generalization of momentum

Momentum is the Noether charge of translational invariance. Noether's theorem (also known as Noether's first theorem) states that any differentiable symmetry of the action of a physical system has As such, even fields as well as other things can have momentum, not just particles. However, in curved space-time which is not asymptotically Minkowski, momentum isn't defined at all. General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of Gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916 In Physics and Mathematics, Minkowski space (or Minkowski spacetime) is the mathematical setting in which Einstein's theory of Special relativity

Momentum in quantum mechanics

In quantum mechanics, momentum is defined as an operator on the wave function. Quantum mechanics is the study of mechanical systems whose dimensions are close to the Atomic scale such as Molecules Atoms Electrons In physics an operator is a function acting on the space of Physical states As a resultof its application on a physical state another physical state is obtained A wave function or wavefunction is a mathematical tool used in Quantum mechanics to describe any physical system The Heisenberg uncertainty principle defines limits on how accurately the momentum and position of a single observable system can be known at once. Werner Heisenberg (5 December 1901 in Würzburg &ndash1 February 1976 in Munich) was a German theoretical physicist best known for enunciating the In Quantum physics, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that locating a particle in a small region of space makes the Momentum of the particle uncertain In quantum mechanics, position and momentum are conjugate variables. In Physics, conjugate variables are pair of variables mathematically defined in such a way that they become Fourier transform duals of one-another

For a single particle with no electric charge and no spin, the momentum operator can be written in the position basis as

\mathbf{p}={\hbar\over i}\nabla=-i\hbar\nabla

where:

This is a commonly encountered form of the momentum operator, though not the most general one.

Momentum in electromagnetism

Electric and magnetic fields possess momentum regardless of whether they are static or they change in time. It is a great surprise for freshmen who are introduced to the well known fact of the pressure P of an electrostatic (magnetostatic) field upon a metal sphere, cylindrical capacity or ferromagnetic bar:

P_{static} =  {W}=   \left[ {\epsilon_0 \epsilon}{\frac{{\mathbf E}^2  }{ {2}}}  +{\frac{ 1  }{ {\mu_0 \mu}  }} {\frac{{\mathbf B}^2}{{2}}} \right],

where W, {\mathbf E}, {\mathbf B}, are electromagnetic energy density , electric and magnetic fields respectively. The electromagnetic pressure P = W may be sufficiently high to explode capacity. Thus electric and magnetic fields do carry momentum.

Light (visible, UV, radio) is an electromagnetic wave and also has momentum. Even though photons (the particle aspect of light) have no mass, they still carry momentum. In Physics, the photon is the Elementary particle responsible for electromagnetic phenomena This leads to applications such as the solar sail. Solar sails (also called light sails or photon sails, especially when they use Light sources other than the Sun) are a proposed form of

Momentum is conserved in an electrodynamic system (it may change from momentum in the fields to mechanical momentum of moving parts). The treatment of the momentum of a field is usually accomplished by considering the so-called energy-momentum tensor and the change in time of the Poynting vector integrated over some volume. The stress-energy tensor (sometimes stress-energy-momentum tensor is a Tensor quantity in Physics that describes the Density and Flux In Physics, the Poynting vector can be thought of as representing the Energy Flux (in W/m2 of an Electromagnetic field. This is a tensor field which has components related to the energy density and the momentum density.

The definition canonical momentum corresponding to the momentum operator of quantum mechanics when it interacts with the electromagnetic field is, using the principle of least coupling:

\mathbf P = m\mathbf v + q\mathbf A,

instead of the customary

\mathbf p = m\mathbf v,

where:

\mathbf A is the electromagnetic vector potential
m the charged particle's invariant mass
\mathbf v its velocity
q its charge.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Lewis, Charleton T. In Physics, a conservation law states that a particular measurable property of an isolated Physical system does not change as the system evolves In Physics, a force is whatever can cause an object with Mass to Accelerate. In Classical mechanics, an impulse is defined as the Integral of a Force with respect to Time: \mathbf{I} = \int \mathbf{F}\ The kinetic energy of an object is the extra Energy which it possesses due to its motion In Mathematics, specifically in Symplectic geometry, the moment map (or momentum map) is a tool associated with a Hamiltonian action of Noether's theorem (also known as Noether's first theorem) states that any differentiable symmetry of the action of a physical system has In Physics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of Position. ; Charles Short. mōmentum (html). A Latin Dictionary. Tufts University: The Perseus Project. Retrieved on 2008-02-15. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor
  2. ^ Buck, Carl Darling (1933). Carl Darling Buck ( October 2, 1866 - February 8, 1955) American Philologist, was born in Bucksport Maine. Comparative Grammar of Greek and Latin. Chicago, Illinois: The University of Chicago Press, pages 320, 321, 335.  
  3. ^ Lewis, Charleton T. ; Charles Short. mōtus (html). A Latin Dictionary. Tufts University: The Perseus Project. Retrieved on 2008-02-15. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor
  4. ^ A. Sayili (1987), "Ibn Sīnā and Buridan on the Motion of the Projectile", Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 500 (1), p. 477–482:

    "Thus he considered impetus as proportional to weight times velocity. In other words, his conception of impetus comes very close to the concept of momentum of Newtonian mechanics. "

  5. ^ Scott, J. F. (1981). The Mathematical Work of John Wallis, D. D. , F. R. S. . Chelsea Publishing Company, page 111. ISBN 0828403147.  
  6. ^ Newton placed his definitions up front as did Wallis, with whom Newton can hardly fail to have been familiar.
  7. ^ Grimsehl, Ernst (1932). A Textbook of Physics. London, Glasgow: Blackie & Son limited, page 78.  
  8. ^ Rescigno, Aldo (2003). Foundation of Pharmacokinetics. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, page 19.  
  9. ^ Jennings, John (1721). Miscellanea in Usum Juventutis Academicae. Northampton: R. Aikes & G. Dicey, page 67.  

References

External links

Dictionary

momentum

-noun

  1. (physics) (of a body in motion) the product of its mass and velocity.
  2. The impetus, either of a body in motion, or of an idea or course of events. (i.e: a moment)
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