Momentum
The “quantity of motion” of a moving object.
p = mv
1What it means
Momentum measures how hard it is to stop a moving object. A heavy, fast object has large momentum. It is measured in kg·m/s.
2Variables
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| p | Momentum (kg·m/s) |
| m | Mass (kg) |
| v | Velocity (m/s) |
3Worked examples
Example 1 Worked solution
Q. Find the momentum of a 2 kg ball moving at 5 m/s.
- p = m × v = 2 × 5.
✓ p = 10 kg·m/s
4Where it's used
- ✦Collision and recoil problems.
- ✦Understanding why heavy vehicles are harder to stop.
5Tips & common mistakes
- !Momentum has direction — it is a vector.
- !Total momentum is conserved in collisions.