Equations
Recoil from rest (momentum conservation)
Momentum · id recoil
m_1 v_1 = m_2 v_2
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit | Meaning | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
m1 | mass 1 | kg | Mass of the first piece | 0.001 to 1e+07 |
v1 | velocity 1 | m/s | Speed of the first piece after separating | 0 to 1000 |
m2 | mass 2 | kg | Mass of the second piece | 0.001 to 1e+07 |
v2 | velocity 2 | m/s | Speed of the second piece after separating | 0 to 1000 |
Assumptions
- System starts at rest
- No external impulse
- Pieces move apart along one line
Valid when
- Speeds far below the speed of light
Found by
Questions with these words retrieve this equation: recoil, explosion, gun, push apart, momentum conservation, skaters push off, cannon.
Source
OpenStax University Physics Volume 1, Chapter 9 (reference; entry written by the project). License: MIT. Entry confidence: 0.98.