conservation of momentum
Noun
Meaning
the principle that the total linear momentum in a closed system is constant and is not affected by processes occurring inside the system
Source: WordNetHypernyms
Examples
His vis viva was seen as rivaling the conservation of momentum championed by Newton in England and by Descartes in France; hence academics in those countries tended to neglect Leibniz's idea.
From the principle of conservation of momentum the speed of the exhaust of a rocket determines how much momentum increase is created for a given amount of propellant.
In doing so, we find the momentum of the particle to arbitrary accuracy by conservation of momentum.
Rockets also make use of conservation of momentum: propellant is thrust outward, gaining momentum, and an equal and opposite momentum is imparted to the rocket. citation Multiple dimensions Two-dimensional elastic collision.
The assumption of conservation of momentum as well as the conservation of kinetic energy makes possible the calculation of the final velocities in two-body collisions.
The conservation of momentum can be directly derived from the homogeneity or symmetry of space and so is usually considered more fundamental than the concept of a force.