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Key Equations

Definition of momentum p =mv
Impulse J titfF (t)dt orJ =F aveΔt
Impulse-momentum theorem J =Δp
Average force from momentum F =Δp Δt
Instantaneous force from momentum
(Newton’s second law)
F (t)=dp dt
Conservation of momentum dp 1 dt +dp 2 dt =0 orp 1+p 2=constant
Generalized conservation of momentum j=1 N p j =constant
Conservation of momentum in two dimensions pf,x=p1,i,x+p2,i,x pf,y=p1,i,y+p2,i,y
External forces F ext=j=1 N dp j dt
Newton’s second law for an extended object F =dp CM dt
Acceleration of the center of mass a CM=d2 dt2 (1M j=1 N mj r j ) =1M j=1 N mj a j
Position of the center of mass for a system
of particles
r CM1M j=1 N mj r j
Velocity of the center of mass v CM=ddt (1M j=1 N mj r j ) =1M j=1 N mj v j
Position of the center of mass of a
continuous object
r CM1M r dm
Rocket equation Δv=uln(mi m )
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