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College Physics 2e

Glossary

College Physics 2eGlossary

change in momentum: the difference between the final and initial momentum; the mass times the change in velocity

conservation of momentum principle: when the net external force is zero, the total momentum of the system is conserved or constant

elastic collision: a collision that also conserves internal kinetic energy

impulse: the average net external force times the time it acts; equal to the change in momentum

inelastic collision: a collision in which internal kinetic energy is not conserved

internal kinetic energy: the sum of the kinetic energies of the objects in a system

isolated system: a system in which the net external force is zero

linear momentum: the product of mass and velocity

perfectly inelastic collision: a collision in which the colliding objects stick together

point masses: structureless particles with no rotation or spin

quark: fundamental constituent of matter and an elementary particle

second law of motion: physical law that states that the net external force equals the change in momentum of a system divided by the time over which it changes

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- Authors: Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
- Publisher/website: OpenStax
- Book title: College Physics 2e
- Publication date: Jul 13, 2022
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-science-and-the-realm-of-physics-physical-quantities-and-units
- Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics-2e/pages/8-glossary

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