A-Level Physics – Conservation of Momentum

Momentum must be conserved in a closed system. We can use this fact to understand collisions and scenarios where objects break apart.

Momentum is calculated using the equation  momentum = mass x velocity.

As momentum is a vector quantity it is important to remember the direction of motion of the objects in a problem.

We can solve questions involving objects colliding or breaking apart by considering the momentum before and after the incident.

In the video lesson below we look at an exam question in detail where we use the conservation of momentum to explain the motion of an object.