Definition of Momentum & How to Find it

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In summary, momentum is the quantity of motion and is found by multiplying mass by velocity. It is a combination of speed, direction, and force and can be difficult to define as it is a concept with practical applications.
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Homework Statement



What is momentum? How do you find it?

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The Attempt at a Solution


I think that momentum is massxvelocity... but what is it? the definition? dictionary.com says that it is... theforce or speed of movement; impetus, as of a physical object or course of events...
but that isn't right because momentum isn't velocity and velocity is speed w/ direction... momentum is speed,direction and force combined... but what is momentum? the definition?
 
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The quantity of motion which is found by multiplying mass by velocity.

To me its somewhat hard to define as its more of a concept with practical uses.
 
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Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the quantity of motion possessed by an object. It is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. In other words, it is a measure of how much an object is moving and in what direction. The equation for momentum is p = mv, where p represents momentum, m represents mass, and v represents velocity.

To find the momentum of an object, you simply need to multiply its mass by its velocity. This can be done using the metric system, where mass is measured in kilograms and velocity is measured in meters per second. Alternatively, if the mass is given in grams, it can be converted to kilograms by dividing by 1000. Similarly, if the velocity is given in kilometers per hour, it can be converted to meters per second by dividing by 3.6.

It is important to note that momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. This is because both mass and velocity are vector quantities. The direction of momentum is the same as the direction of the velocity vector.

In summary, momentum is a measure of an object's motion and is found by multiplying its mass and velocity. It is a vector quantity and its direction is the same as the direction of the velocity vector.
 

What is the definition of momentum?

Momentum is defined as the mass of an object multiplied by its velocity. It is a measure of an object's motion and is often described as the "quantity of motion". In simpler terms, momentum is the amount of force needed to stop an object from moving.

How is momentum calculated?

Momentum is calculated by multiplying an object's mass by its velocity. The formula for momentum is: p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. The unit for momentum is kg*m/s.

Why is momentum important?

Momentum is important because it helps us understand how objects move and interact with each other. It is a fundamental concept in physics and is used to describe the behavior of objects in motion. Momentum is also a conserved quantity, meaning it remains constant unless acted upon by an external force.

How does momentum relate to Newton's Laws of Motion?

Momentum is closely related to Newton's Laws of Motion, specifically the law of inertia and the law of action and reaction. The law of inertia states that an object will stay in motion with the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an external force. This is directly related to momentum as an object's momentum will remain constant unless acted upon by an external force. The law of action and reaction states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when two objects collide, their momenta will be equal and opposite.

Can momentum be negative?

Yes, momentum can be negative. When an object is moving in the opposite direction of its initial motion, its momentum will be negative. This is often seen in collisions where an object's momentum changes direction. It is important to note that the magnitude of momentum is always positive, but the direction can be negative.

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