State the law of conservation of momentum using this law explain why a gun recoils
Answers
The law of conservation of momentum states that for two objects colliding in an isolated system, the total momentum before and after the collision is equal.
Recoil is explained by the law of conservation of momentum, and so it is easier to discuss it separately from energy. The nature of the recoil process is determined by the force of the expanding gases in the barrel upon the gun (recoil force), which is equal and opposite to the force upon the ejecta.
The law of conservation of momentum states that if there is no force acting on a system, the momentum of the system remains unchanged.
A closed system is a system where the sum of its external force is zero. A system consists of several objects acting on each other. When the momentum is constant we say the momentum is conserved.
If a group of bodies are exerting force on each other, their total momentum remains conserved before and after the interaction provided that there is no external force acting on it.
When a bullet is fired from a gun, it is shot out at a very high speed, producing a very big momentum.
An equal and opposite momentum is produced and this causes the gun to recoil.