Paper 3 · Kinematics and Dynamics
State the principle of conservation of linear momentum, assuming no external force acts on a system of colliding bodies.
Model answer
total momentum is conserved
Also accepted: momentum stays constant, momentum is conserved
Explanation: With no external force acting on a system of colliding bodies, the total momentum of the system before and after the collision is the same.
Derived from ZIMSEC Physics Paper 3, November 2002, Q1