opposite, they are not forces applied by two bodies on By Newtons third law, F1 = –F2

each other. The force N is applied by the table on the

m1v 1 – m1u1  m v – m 2u 2 
book, its reaction will be the force applied by the book = – 2 2   m1v1 – m1u1
t  t 
on the table. Weight W is the force applied by the earth
on the book, its reaction will be the force applied by the = –m2v2 + m2u2
book on the earth. or m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
So, although N and W are equal and opposite, they do
not form an action–reaction pair. or Initial momentum = Final momentum

6. Two ice hockey players, suitably padded collide directly

PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM with each other and immediately become entangled.
One has a mass of 120 kg and is travelling at 2 m/s,
By Newton’s second law, the rate of change of while the other has a mass of 80 kg and is travelling at
momentum is equal to the applied force. 4 m/s towards the first player at what speed do they
travel after they become entangled?
Change in momentum
= Force Sol. m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
time
120 × 2 – 80 × 4 = (120 + 80)
Change in momentum = F × t
240 – 320 = 200 V
If F = 0 then,
– 80 = 200 V
Change in momentum = 0
2
V=– m/s
If the force applied on the body is zero then its 5
momentum will be conserved, this law is also
applicable on the system. If in a system the momentum SOME ILLUSTRATION ON CONSERVATION
of the objects present in the system are P1, P2, P3........... OF MOMENTUM
and external force on the system is zero, then–
P1 + P2 + P3 +................. = Constant (a) Recoil of Gun :
A loaded gun (rifle) having bullet inside it forming one
 NOTE : If only internal forces are acting on the system system is initially at rest. The system has zero
then its linear momentum will be conserved. initial momentum.
(a) The Law of Conservation of Linear
Momentum by Third Law of Motion : v
V
Suppose A and B are two objects of masses m1 and
m2 are moving in the same direction with velocity u1
and u2 respectively (u1 > u2). Object A collides with object
B and after time t both move in their original direction
with velocity v1 and v2 respectively. When the trigger (T) is pressed, the bullet is fired due to
internal force of explosion of powder in cartidge inside.
The change in momentum of object A = m1v1 – m1u1
The bullet moves forward with a high velocity and the gun
m1 m2 move behind (recoils) with a lesser velocity.
u1 u2 Let the bullet and the gun have masses m and M
before collision (u1 > u2) respectively. Let the bullet move forward with velocity v
and the gun recoils with velocity V.
Change in momentum Then final momentum of the gun and bullet is MV + mv
The force on B by A is F1 =
time By the law of conservation of momentum–
Initial momentum of the system = Final momentum of
m1v 1 – m1u1
F1 = .............(1) the system.
t
0 = MV + mv
The change in momentum of object B = m2v2 – m2u2
mv
or V = –
Change in momentum M
The force on A by B is F2 =
time
mv
Hence the recoil velocity of gun =
m 2 v 2 – m 2u 2 M
= .............(2)
t
mv
m1 m2 and the velocity of the gun is = –
v1 v2 M
after collision

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