MIT 8.01 Lesson 13: Momentum

Lesson Summary

The Momentum and External Force model is introduced. This model has great utility for describing multi-body processes that occur over a finite time interval, particularly nearly-instantaneous collisions.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this Lesson, you should be able to:

Be able to read and understand the Momentum and External Force model template.
Be able to accomplish the learning objectives listed there.
Define time-averaged force in terms of impulse, or vice-versa.
Describe the conditions on both the system and the interactions which allow the assumption of conservation of momentum in analyzing a collision.