Momentum Calculator

How to Calculate Momentum

Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the quantity of motion of an object. It is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. Understanding momentum is crucial for analyzing collisions, propulsion, and many other physical phenomena.

What is the Formula?

The formula for momentum is:

\[ p = m \cdot v \]

Where:

• \(p\) is the momentum (in kg·m/s or N·s)
• \(m\) is the mass of the object (in kg)
• \(v\) is the velocity of the object (in m/s)

What are the calculation steps?

1. Identify the mass (m) of the object in kilograms (kg).
2. Determine the velocity (v) of the object in meters per second (m/s).
3. Multiply the mass by the velocity to calculate the momentum.

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the momentum of a car:

Given:

• Mass of the car (m) = 1500 kg
• Velocity of the car (v) = 20 m/s

Step 1: Identify the formula for momentum

\(p = m \cdot v\)

Step 2: Substitute the known values

\(p = 1500 \text{ kg} \cdot 20 \text{ m/s}\)

Step 3: Calculate the result

\(p = 30,000 \text{ kg·m/s}\)

Therefore, the momentum of the car is 30,000 kg·m/s or 30,000 N·s.

Diagram of Momentum

The following diagram illustrates the concept of momentum:

This diagram shows an object with mass (m) moving with velocity (v). The momentum (p) is the product of these two quantities, representing the object's quantity of motion.