Momentum Calculator (p = mv)
Momentum is a fundamental quantity in physics that measures the "quantity of motion" of an object. Defined as the product of mass and velocity (p = mv), momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The conservation of momentum is one of the most powerful principles in physics, governing everything from billiard ball collisions to rocket propulsion.
The momentum formula p = mv connects an object's mass to its velocity. Momentum is conserved in all isolated systems, making it invaluable for analyzing collisions and explosions.
- Momentum (p) is measured in kg·m/s (no special unit name)
- Mass (m) is measured in kilograms
- Velocity (v) is measured in meters per second (includes direction)
Key principles:
- Conservation of momentum: In an isolated system, total momentum before = total momentum after any interaction
- Impulse-momentum theorem: Force × time = change in momentum (FΔt = Δp)
- Relationship to kinetic energy: KE = p²/(2m)
Examples: A 0.145 kg baseball at 40 m/s has a momentum of 5.8 kg·m/s. A 2,000 kg car at 30 m/s has a momentum of 60,000 kg·m/s. Despite the car being much slower than a bullet, its enormous mass gives it far more momentum.