if I go down a slide but instead of carrying on to the end, I grip the sides and stop myself: where does my momentum go?

Question

I had crap science teachers so forces in physics never really made sense to me. I understand that my momentum has a kind of energy to it…so if I stop myself on the slide where does that energy go?

In: 9

Answer 1

Assuming there is perfect momentum transfer, your momentum is transferred to the Earth.
As a reminder…

Momentum = mass x velocity

As you come to a complete stop, the Earth will take up your momentum, however because the Earth has significantly more mass than you, to have the same momentum, the velocity change of earth is low, as in, very very low.

So:
Momentum1 (when you’re sliding)
= your personal momentum
= your low mass x YOUR HIGH VELOCITY

Momentum2 (when you stopped)
= Earth’s new momentum from you stopping
= EARTH’S HUGE MASS x relatively tiny changed velocity

Momentum1 = Momentum2

Of course this assumes perfect momentum transfer. Some of the energy will be lost to the creation of the sound and heat resulting from a non perfect grip, but that should be quite small.