---
title: "Learning about Momentum Conservation"
authors:
  - "Jude W. Shavlik"
doi: ""
url: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1985/129"
pdf: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1985/0129.pdf"
venue: "Proceedings of the Ninth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence"
year: 1985
pages: "667-668"
track: "Learning and Acquisition"
keywords:
---

# Learning about Momentum Conservation

Jude W. Shavlik

*Proceedings of the Ninth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence*, pages 667-668.

## Abstract

A system has been designed in which ex planation-based learning is applied to classical mechanics. An overview of the fu ll y-i mplemented system and an example run by it are presented. From the example the system acquires a general formula describing how the momentum of a collection of objects changes over time. The derivation of this formula is prompted by the analysis of a human's solution to a simple two-body, onedimensional collision. The human's solution is based on the principle of momentum conservation. The acquired formula serves to solve a three-dimensional collision in the presence of external forces, a situation where momentum is Mt conserved.