Show that the rate of change of momentum is equal to product of mass and acceleration.

Let an object of mass ‘m’ is moving along a straight line with initial velocity ‘u’. A constant force ‘F’ is applied in time ‘t’ to accelerate it and its final velocity becomes ‘v’.

Initial momentum, p1 = mu
Final momentum, p2 = mv
Change in momentum
p2 - p1
mv – mu
m(v – u)
The rate of change of momentum =


Rate of change of momentum = force applied
Force

Force = k
where k = proportionality constant


Force = kma where a = acceleration =


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