The law of conservation of momentum states that within a closed system with no external forces acting on it, the total momentum remains constant. In other words, the momentum before an event involving several objects (such as a collision) will be equal to the momentum after the event.
Let's denote these momenta as follows:
- [tex]\( p_i \)[/tex]: Initial momentum (total momentum before the event)
- [tex]\( p_f \)[/tex]: Final momentum (total momentum after the event)
According to the law of conservation of momentum, the initial momentum [tex]\( p_i \)[/tex] should equal the final momentum [tex]\( p_f \)[/tex]. Thus, the correct formula expressing this law is:
[tex]\[ p_i = p_f \][/tex]
Therefore, among the given options:
1. [tex]\( p_i = p_f \)[/tex]
2. [tex]\( p_i > p_f \)[/tex]
3. [tex]\( p_i < p_f \)[/tex]
4. [tex]\( p_i \neq p_t \)[/tex]
The correct answer is:
[tex]\[ p_i = p_f \][/tex]
