What is Momentum?
In physics, momentum is the product of the mass and velocity of an object. It is a vector quantity, possessing a magnitude and a direction.
Momentum Formula: p = m × v
Where:
p = momentum (kg·m/s)
m = mass (kg)
v = velocity (m/s)
Momentum is a conserved quantity, meaning the total momentum of a closed system remains constant unless acted upon by external forces. This principle is known as the conservation of momentum.
Example Calculations
Momentum Example:
A car with a mass of 1200 kg moving at 25 m/s has a momentum of:
p = m × v = 1200 kg × 25 m/s = 30,000 kg·m/s
Impulse Example:
A force of 500 N applied for 2 seconds provides an impulse of:
J = F × Δt = 500 N × 2 s = 1000 N·s