Momentum is Conserved
The conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of an isolated system is constant. Although this is a very important physics concept, most systems are not isolated and therefore very few actions experience "true" conservation of momentum. Unless the gymnast was performing a back tuck in deep space, she would not experience "true" conservation of momentum. On earth, some of the gymnast's momentum is lost due to forces such as air resistance and gravity. However, conservation of momentum is still a very important physics concept, and its general concept applies to the back tuck. Continue reading to learn more about momentum in a back tuck!