Challenger Center: Garriott Science Challenge

Conservation of Momentum

The total amount of momentum in a closed system is constant. A closed system is a system that has no outside forces acting on it. Some examples of closed systems include: several marbles colliding, an ice skate jumping, and two bumper cars bouncing off each other. Momentum is the mass of an object multiplied by its speed. If two cars collide, the momentum of the system (car one plus car two) is the same after collision as it was before collision. Each car might have a different speed after colliding, but the total momentum is the same, it does not increase or decrease. This is known as conservation of momentum. Which is just a fancy way of saying the momentum of a system stays the same.

Richard Garriott experimented with conservation of momentum in a variety of ways. By using a spinning object that illustrated change rotational speed such as when an ice skater pulls in her arms while spinning; and by a variety of collisions of objects in space.

Essential Questions

How is momentum conserved in rotational motion?
How is momentum conserved in collisions?

Will momentum be conserved in space? Is momentum conserved when two astronauts collide and bounce off each other in space? Is momentum conserved when two astronauts collide and stick together in space?

Click here to submit your prediction!
Check out some of our student’s predictions and look ahead to seeing the demonstrations during and after Richard’s flight this October 2008!
Check out Richard’s Video Blogs from space.

Classroom Activities

Elementary

Middle/High School

Student Resources