1. What is the Speed From Momentum Equation?

Definition: This equation calculates the speed of an object when you know its momentum and mass.

Purpose: It's fundamental in physics for understanding motion and is particularly useful in mechanics, engineering, and physics education.

2. How Does the Equation Work?

The equation is derived from the definition of momentum:

Where:

• \( v \) — Speed (meters per second, m/s)
• \( p \) — Momentum (kilogram meters per second, kg m/s)
• \( m \) — Mass (kilograms, kg)

Explanation: Momentum is the product of mass and velocity, so velocity can be found by dividing momentum by mass.

3. Importance of the Speed Calculation

Details: Understanding this relationship is crucial for solving problems in classical mechanics, collision analysis, and motion prediction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the momentum in kg m/s and mass in kg. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between speed and velocity?
A: Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only), while velocity is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).

Q2: How is momentum different from kinetic energy?
A: Momentum depends on velocity (p=mv), while kinetic energy depends on velocity squared (KE=½mv²).

Q3: What units should I use?
A: Use kg for mass, m/s for velocity, and kg m/s for momentum to maintain SI unit consistency.

Q4: Does this work for relativistic speeds?
A: No, this classical formula becomes inaccurate at speeds approaching the speed of light.

Q5: What if the mass is zero?
A: Mass cannot be zero in this calculation (division by zero is undefined). Photons have momentum but no mass.