How Does the Momentum of a Billiard Ball Change?

When a billiard ball is rolling on a billiard table, its momentum can change due to various factors, particularly during collisions with other balls or the boundaries of the table. Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics, defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity.

In the game of billiards, when a cue stick strikes a ball or when two balls collide, there are external forces at play that can alter the ball's speed and direction. These forces change the momentum of the ball, either increasing or decreasing it based on the direction and magnitude of the force applied.

While the principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces are present, individual collisions between billiard balls can result in a transfer of momentum from one ball to another. This transfer of momentum causes a change in the direction and speed of the balls involved.

Additionally, if a billiard ball is spinning when it collides with another ball, angular momentum also comes into play. The spin of the ball adds extra energy to the collision, influencing the trajectory and momentum of the balls post-collision.