Momentum Calculator
Calculate an object’s momentum using mass and velocity. Perfect for physics students and professionals.
Momentum
Formula Used
Momentum (p) = Mass (m) × Velocity (v)
p = m × v
About Momentum
Momentum is a measurement involving the motion of an object in motion and the mass of the object. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. In physics, the symbol for momentum is the lowercase letter p.
The standard unit for momentum in the International System of Units (SI) is kilogram-meter per second (kg·m/s).
Frequently Asked Questions
Momentum is essentially the “oomph” or “strength” of motion an object has. It depends on both how much stuff is moving (mass) and how fast it’s going (velocity). The more massive or faster an object is, the more momentum it has.
Velocity only tells you how fast something is moving and in what direction. Momentum includes both velocity and mass, so it gives a more complete picture of the motion’s “impact”. A small object moving fast might have the same momentum as a large object moving slowly.
This fundamental law of physics states that in a closed system (with no external forces), the total momentum before an interaction (like a collision) equals the total momentum after the interaction. This principle is crucial in analyzing collisions and explosions.