Momentum Calculator
Inputs
Enter parameters to calculate Momentum, Mass, or Velocity.
What is Momentum?
Momentum is a vector quantity that is the product of an object's mass and its velocity. You can think of it as "mass in motion."
An object has a large momentum if it has a large mass, a high speed, or both. It is harder to stop an object with high momentum than one with low momentum.
The Momentum Formula
The formula for linear momentum is:
p = m × v- p = Momentum (kg·m/s)
- m = Mass (Kilograms, kg)
- v = Velocity (meters per second, m/s)
Conservation of Momentum
One of the most important principles in physics is the Law of Conservation of Momentum. It states that in a closed system (with no external forces), the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.
This is why when a large truck hits a small parked car, the car flies off at high speed while the truck slows down slightly—momentum is transferred.
Examples
Example 1: Charging Rhino
A 2000 kg rhino charges at 10 m/s.
- Mass (m) = 2000 kg
- Velocity (v) = 10 m/s
- Momentum (p) = 2000 × 10 = 20,000 kg·m/s
Example 2: Baseball
A 0.145 kg baseball flying at 40 m/s.
- Mass (m) = 0.145 kg
- Velocity (v) = 40 m/s
- Momentum (p) = 0.145 × 40 = 5.8 kg·m/s
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is momentum 'p'?
It likely comes from the Latin word "petere" (to go to, to seek) or to avoid confusion with 'm' for mass.
Is momentum the same as kinetic energy?
No. Momentum is a vector (mv), Kinetic Energy is a scalar (½mv²). Momentum is conserved in collisions; kinetic energy is not strictly conserved in inelastic collisions.
Can momentum be zero?
Yes, if an object is at rest (velocity = 0), its momentum is zero regardless of its mass.