Momentum Quiz

Do you understand momentum?

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What is momentum and how do you calculate momentum?

Momentum is the tendency of a moving object to keep moving or in the opposite direction, how hard it is to stop a moving object. 

Momentum is calculated with the following equation:

p = m × v

Where:

p = momentum (kg m/s)

m = mass (kg)

and

v = velocity (m/s)

Momentum is also defined as part of Newton’s Second Law and the equation which relates the change in velocity and time. These two equations can be combined to find the resultant force that produces a change in momentum. 

Equation 1: Newton’s Second Law

F = m x a

Where:

F = resultant force (N)

m = mass (kg)

and

a = acceleration (m/s²)

Equation 2: Relates change in velocity and time

a = v – u / t

Where:

a = acceleration (m/s²)

v = final velocity (m/s)

u = initial velocity (m/s)

and

t = time (s)

These equations are combined to get another derivation of Newton’s 2nd Law which is listed below:

F = m (v – u) / t

Where:

F = resultant force (N)

m = mass (kg)

v = final velocity (m/s)

u = initial velocity (m/s)

and

t = time (s)

Practice using these equations with our momentum quiz!